catholic funeral readings
Catholic Funeral Readings
Words of comfort and wisdom can indeed console the bereaved family, and help them to deal with the loss of their loved one. Catholic funeral mass readings are verses from the holy scriptures, which are to be read at the service.
Mourning the death of a loved one is the most difficult time in a person's life. However, through the support and consolation of friends and community members, the bereaved family can cope with their tragic loss. A funeral is the last chance to say goodbye to the departed soul, and offer prayers for his/her final journey. During the service, the priest reads inspirational words of wisdom from the Holy Bible. A Catholic funeral service consists of three readings, each from the old testament, the new testament, and the Gospels of the new testament. Given below are some common Catholic funeral readings.
From The Old Testament
Given below are the verses to be read during the first reading.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-1 "... A time to be born, a time to die ..."
Song of Solomon 2:8-14 "... Arise my beloved, my beautiful one, and come! ..."
Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23f "... God did not make death, nor does he rejoice ..."
Wisdom 3:1-9 "... The souls of the just are in the hand of God ..."
Wisdom 4:7-15 "... The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest ..."
Sirach 1:1-10 "... All wisdom comes from the LORD ..."
Sirach 2:1-11 "... in fire gold is tested....Compassionate is the Lord ..."
Isaiah 26:7-19 "... your dead shall live, their corpses shall rise ..."
Isaiah 40:1-11 "Comfort ... to my people ..."
Isaiah 40:25-31 "... Though youths stagger and fall ... they will soar ..."
Jeremiah 17:5-10 "... I, the Lord, alone probe the mind and test the heart ..."
Lamentations 3:17-26 "... My portion is the Lord, says my soul ..."
Ezekiel 37:12-14 "O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise ..."
Daniel 12:1-3 "... the wise shall shine brightly ..."
Micah 7:7-9 "... though I sit in darkness, the Lord is my light ..."
Zephaniah 3:14-18 "... Shout for joy ... the Lord has removed the judgment ..."
Malachi 3:13-20 "... And a record book was written before him ..."
2 Maccabees 12:43-46 "... he made atonement for the dead ..."
From The New Testament
Given below are the verses to be read during the second reading.
Romans 5:1-5 "... We know that affliction makes for endurance ..."
Romans 8:1-11 "... he ... will bring your mortal bodies to life ..."
Romans 10:8-13 "No one who believes in him will be put to shame ..."
1 Corinthians 1:22-25 "God's folly is wiser than men, ... weakness, more powerful"
1 Corinthians 15:12-20 "... if Christ was not raised, your faith is worthless ..."
2 Corinthians 4:6-10 "... this treasure we possess in earthen vessels ..."
2 Corinthians 5:14-17 "... The old order has passed away; now all is new!"
Ephesians 1:3-10 "... he likewise predestined us...to be his sons ..."
Ephesians 2:4-10 "... By this favor you were saved ... not your own doing"
Philippians 3:8-14 "... I run toward the prize to which God calls me ..."
Colossians 3:1-4 "... After all, you have died! Your life is hidden now ..."
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 "... We belong neither to darkness nor to night ..."
2 Timothy 4:6-18 "... I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race ..."
Titus 2:11-14 "... he who sacrificed himself for us, to redeem us ..."
Hebrews 4:12-16 "... Nothing is concealed from him; ... let us hold fast ..."
Hebrews 12:18-24 "... you have drawn near to ... the heavenly Jerusalem ..."
James 5:7-10 "Be patient, ... until the coming of the Lord ..."
1 Peter 1:3-9 "... you may for a time have to suffer ... faith ... fire-tried gold"
Revelation 22:12ff "... I am the Alpha and the Omega....Come, Lord Jesus ..."
From Gospels of the New Testament
Given below are the verses that are to be read during the third reading. The verses during the third reading are mostly chosen by the priest. However, you may suggest your preferences.
Matthew 5:1-12a "The Eight Beatitudes"
Matthew 11:25-30 "come to me ... and I will give you rest."
Matthew 18:19-20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name"
Mark 13:33-37 "... you do not know when the appointed time will come."
Mark 15:33-16:6 "Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last"
Luke 12:35-40 "Be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, ..."
Luke 20:34-38 "They can no longer die, for they are like angels"
Luke 23:33-43 "Today you will be with me in paradise."
John 5:24-29 "Whoever hears my word and believes has passed from ..."
John 6:37-40 "All who believe in the Son will have eternal life ..."
John 11:17-27 "I am the resurrection and the life."
John 12:23-28 "If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies ..."
John 17:24-26 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me ..."
John 19:17-30 "Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirits."
The above verses can be read during the funeral service, as well as during the sermon, that is often conducted in memory of the dead, the evening before the funeral. Their main aim is to impart strength and wisdom to the family and friends of the deceased.