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Dear friend in Christ, During this time of sadness and loss in your life, we, the priests and people of Holy Spirit parish, would like to express our heartfelt condolences to you and to your family. Beyond extending to you our support and expressions of sympathy, we wish to offer you the gift of God’s word, for the Word of God is a word of hope and comfort to all who experience the brokenness and struggles of life. Through God’s word, we come to believe that we are not alone in our struggles and that the fidelity of God will see us through every moment of pain and loss. The Bible readings printed below are those which the Church has selected for the Rite of Christian Burial. We print these Biblical passages for you in order to help you select readings that might best express what you believe God is saying to you at this time of loss in your life. If you are so inclined to choose the readings you want for the liturgy of your deceased loved one, we ask you to pick one reading from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. A member of our parish’s Ministry of Consolation will be glad to help you in the selection process. Of course, you may keep this pamphlet for yourself so that God’s word may continue to offer you comfort and strength in the days ahead. Please be assured of our loving and prayerful support for you and for all the members of your family. Please feel free to contact us at any time when you feel that we may be of assistance to you. Father Tony and staff of Holy Spirit parish Readings from the Old Testament 1. I know that my Redeemer Lives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Job 19:1, 23-26 A reading from the book of Job: Then Job said, “ Oh, would that my words were written down! Would that they were inscribed in a record: That with an iron chisel and with lead they were cut in the rock forever! But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust; whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him. And from my flesh I shall see God; my inmost being is consumed with longing. The Word of the Lord. . .2. The souls of the just are in the hand of God Long Version: Wisdom 3: 1-9 A reading from the book of Wisdom: The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality. Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect. The Word of the Lord. . .Short version: Wisdom 3: 1-6, 9 A reading from the book of Wisdom: The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality. Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect. The Word of the Lord. . . 3. A blameless life is what constitutes a ripe old age. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wisdom 4:7-15 A reading from the book of Wisdom: The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age. He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported– snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul. For the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind. Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to the LORD, therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness. But the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into account. Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect. The Word of the Lord. . .4. The Lord God will destroy death forever. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9 A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah: On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces. The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said: "Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!" The Word of the Lord. .5.Waiting in silence for the Lord. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . Lamentations 3:17-26 A reading from the book of Lamentations: My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is; I tell myself my future is lost, all that I hoped for from the LORD. The thought of my homeless poverty is wormwood and gall; Remembering it over and over leaves my soul downcast within me. But I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope: The favors of the LORD are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent. They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. My portion is the LORD, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Good is the LORD to one who waits for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the LORD. The Word of the Lord. . .6. We shall live forever. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel 12: 1-3 A reading from the book of the prophet Daniel: "At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.” The Word of the Lord. . .7. Praying for those who have died. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Maccabees 12:43-46 A reading from the second book of Maccabees: Judas, the ruler of Israel, then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin. The Word of the Lord. . .Readings from the New Testament 1. God has appointed Jesus as judge of the living and the dead. . . . .. .Long version: Acts 10:34-43A reading from the Acts of the Apostles: Peter proceeded to address the people in these words: "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name." The Word of the Lord. . . Short version. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Acts 10:34-36, 42-43 A reading from the Acts of the Apostles: Peter proceeded to address the people in these words: "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name." The Word of the Lord. . .2. We have been reconciled to God through the blood of his Son. . . . . . . . Romans 5:5-11 A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans: Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. The Word of the Lord. . .3. Through Jesus, acquittal and life came to all. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Romans 5:17-21 A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans: If, by the transgression of one person, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one person Jesus Christ. In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous. The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Word of the Lord. . . 4. Let us walk in newness of life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Long version: Romans 6:3-9 A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. The Word of the Lord. . . Short version. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Romans 6:3-4; 8-9 A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. The Word of the Lord. . . 5. We await the redemption of our bodies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Romans 8:14-23 A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans: Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!" The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. The Word of the Lord. . . 6. Who can ever come between us and the love of Christ?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Romans 8: 31b-35; 37-39 A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans: If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Word of the Lord. . .7. Whether alive or dead, we belong to the Lord. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Romans 14: 7-12 A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans: None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Why then do you judge your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God. The Word of the Lord. . . 8. All people will be brought to life in Christ. . . . . . . .Long version: 1 Corinthians 15: 20-28 A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians: Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for "he subjected everything under his feet." But when it says that everything has been subjected, it is clear that it excludes the one who subjected everything to him. When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all. The Word of the Lord. . .Short version. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians: Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ. The Word of the Lord. . . 9. Death is
swallowed up in
victory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Corinthians 15:51-57 10 What is seen
is transitory, what is unseen is eternal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Corinthians 4:13 - 5:1 11. We have an
everlasting home in heaven . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Corinthians 5:1, 6-10 12. Jesus will transfigure us. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philippians 3: 20-21 A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians: Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself. The Word of the Lord. . .13. We shall stay
with the Lord
forever. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Thessalonians 4:13-18 14. If we have
died with him, then we shall live with him. . . . . .2
Timothy 2:8-13 15. We shall see God as he really is. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 John 3:1-2 A reading from the first letter of John: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. The Word of the Lord. . .16. We have passed from death to life because of our love for one another. . . . . . . . . . . . .1 John 3:14-16 A reading from the first letter of John: We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. The Word of the Lord. . .17. Happy are those who die in the Lord. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Revelation 14:13 A reading from the book of Revelation: I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," said the Spirit, "let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them." The Word of the Lord. . .18. The dead have
been judged according to their works. . . . . . . . . . . . .Revelation
20:11 - 21:1 19. There will be no more death. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7 A reading from the book of Revelation: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away." The one who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my child.” The Word of the Lord. . .Hymns for the Funeral Liturgy These are the hymns that most appropriately speak about our faith in the risen Jesus
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