Old Testament Reading #1

A reading from the book of Job (19:23-27)
Job answered and said:
Oh, would that my words were written down!
Would that they were inscribed in a record:
That with 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.

Old Testament Reading #2

A reading from the Book of Wisdom (3:1-9)
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 us, indeed, they be punished, now 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.

Old Testament Reading #3

A reading from the Book of Wisdom (4:7-15)
The just ones, though they 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 crown for us, and an
unsullied life, the attainment of old age.
The one who pleased God was loved; those who lived among sinners
were transported, snatched away, lest wickedness pervert their minds or
deceit beguile their souls.
Having become perfect in a short while, they reached the fullness of a
long career; for their souls were pleasing to the Lord, therefore He sped
them out of the midst of wickedness.
But the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into
account.
The Word of the Lord.

Old Testament Reading #4

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah (25:6-9)
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 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 saved us!"
The Word of the Lord.

Old Testament Reading #5

A reading from the book of Lamentations (3:17-26)
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.

Old Testament Reading #6

A reading from the book of Daniel (12:1-3)
“At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people.
It shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time;
but at that time your people shall be delivered, every one whose name shall be found
written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who are
wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness,
like the stars for ever and ever.
The Word of the Lord.