A death can often times be a very hard time in ones life, St, John’s Family of Faith is here to lead the family and friends of the deceased into the comforts of the Lord, and find peace in the life they’ve lived and and know the graces they’ve received being called home by their Father.
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Important Information on End of Life Issues
“To live in a manner worthy of our human dignity, and to spend our final days on this earth in peace and comfort, surrounded by loved ones—that is the hope of each of us. In particular, Christian hope sees these final days as a time to prepare for our eternal destiny. Today, however, many people fear the dying process. They are afraid of being kept alive past life’s natural limits by burdensome medical technology. They fear experiencing intolerable pain and suffering, losing control over bodily functions, or lingering with severe dementia. They worry about being abandoned or becoming a burden on others.
Our society can be judged by how we respond to these fears. A caring community devotes more attention, not less, to members facing the most vulnerable times in their lives. When people are tempted to see their own lives as diminished in value or meaning, they most need the love and assistance of others to assure them of their inherent worth. The healing art of medicine is an important part of this assistance. Even when a cure is not possible, medicine plays a critical role in providing “palliative care”—alleviating pain and other symptoms and meeting basic needs. Such care should combine medical skill with attention to the emotional as well as spiritual needs of those facing the end of life. ” (From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops www.usccb.org)
Please check these other resources:
bishops-statement-physician-assisted-suicide-to-live-each-day
This attachment is from the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference is a Combined Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney – PCC .
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Guidelines for Celebrating the Rite of Christian Burial at St. John Baptist de la Salle
MUSIC
Music is integral to the funeral rites, as it is to any celebration. It allows the community to express convictions and feelings that words alone may fail to convey. It has power to console and uplift the mourners and to strengthen the unity of the assembly in faith and love. Its importance can never be underestimated, therefore its planning should be taken with great care.
Yes, it is true that funerals are a sad time, but the point of having the liturgy is to celebrate the life that the person was to us as a gift from God. When selecting music, do not be afraid to select up-beat or triumphal hymns. Hymns from the Easter season are most appropriate for funerals no matter what time of year it is. Consider also, the other seasons of the church year. If it happens to be the Christmas season, the use of some Christmas carols would be fitting.
Whatever music is used, it should support, console, and uplift the participants and should help to create in them a spirit of hope in Christ’s victory over death and in the Christian’s share in that victory. The text should express the paschal mystery of the Lord’s suffering, death, and triumph over death and should be (if at all possible) related to the readings from scripture.
The choice of music is not guided by a list of the deceased’s or family members favorites. Music and text should bear some relation to the mystery of Christ being celebrated. Music other than Christian hymns or songs based on scripture, no matter how beloved or sentimental they may be, is neither appropriate nor allowed. The community’s primary purpose when it gathers for a funeral is to worship and give thanks to God, not to memorialize the deceased.
For a selection of fitting hymns and psalms, please see the insert.
CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS
In the opening rites of the funeral Mass, the body and immediate family are gathered at the front of the church to be welcomed into the faith community for the last time. Those who have accompanied the funeral procession from the Funeral Home to the church have already taken their place in the main body of the church. It is at this point that we recall as a community our true death, and the promise of new life given to us through the waters of Baptism. The baptismal symbols are once more repeated with the use of water, fire (paschal candle), and being clothed in a white garment (pall). Family members should do the act of placing the pall on the casket. If the family wishes not to place the pall on the casket, then the Funeral Directors will do so.
A family member, friend, or the presiding priest may place a symbol of Christian life on the casket. It may be: the family Bible, the deceased persons rosary or some other religious object that was venerated by the deceased in life, a cross or crucifix from the family home, or the Church’s Book of the Gospels.
Only Christian symbols may rest on or near the casket during the funeral liturgy. Any other symbols, for example, our nation’s flag, or flags and insignia of associations, have absolutely no place in any Christian liturgy, be it a funeral or otherwise.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
It is recommended that the family gather to choose the scripture readings desired for the liturgy. It is also recommended that family members or friends serve as lectors. However, they should be people accustomed to speaking in public, and only after having prepared themselves by reviewing the scripture readings beforehand and be familiar with were to go and what to do.
There may be one or two lectors permitted. The first reading is always from the Hebrew Scriptures, the second reading from the Christian Scriptures, and of course the third reading is always to be a Gospel that is proclaimed by either a deacon or the priest. The Responsorial Psalm between the first and second reading is just that – a psalm / a song, therefore the choir and congregation will sing it.
The Homily is never a eulogy about the deceased. Because this is a Christian liturgy, we proclaim our faith in the Risen Lord and His presence made known to us in the Word of God that was just proclaimed. The purpose of the homily is to console one another in faith with that Word. If the family so desires, a eulogy may be given at the Funeral Home during the wake service or at the reception following the burial, but not within the context of the liturgy.
PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS (Discontinued through this time of COVID)Family members or friends are most welcome to bring to the altar the gifts of bread and wine to be used in the Eucharist. It is not appropriate at this time to carry up symbols representing the life of the deceased or personal mementos. To add symbols at this stage is to attempt to make the ritual say something other than what is meant. We are preparing to celebrate a meal, and the gifts for this sacred meal are bread and wine only.
EULOGIES
In times past, if families so chose, eulogies were permitted after Communion. Unfortunately, for too many reasons that run from the ridiculous to the utterly inappropriate, they are no longer allowed here at St. John’s. For one thing, there are time restraints on the part of the Funeral Director, and scheduling concerns for the Cemetery. But more importantly than that, eulogies simply don’t have a place in the context of liturgy or worship. It is most appropriate that such memorializing and celebrations of one’s life be done at the reception following the burial/entombment. In this format, time is of no concern, and all those who would like to speak can do so without limit. Please be aware, it doesn’t matter what was done in the past, this present understanding of no eulogies at St. John’s, will be firmly held with no exceptions.
CREMATION
Back in the 1970’s the church has given the option for Catholics to be cremated or to donate their remains to medical science or for organ transplant. If this is a desire on your part or on the part of the family member(s) making the arrangements, there are several options to be considered.
1) The traditional wake and funeral Mass with the body present, followed by cremation and then burial or entombment of the remains.
2) Cremation that follows immediately after death, with a funeral liturgy a day or two later with the cremated remains present, followed by burial or entombment.
3) A Memorial Mass with no body present that is celebrated at a time designated by the family. A framed picture of the deceased may be placed on a stand near the paschal candle.
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Recommended Hymns
Hymn Selections for Funerals Alleluia, the Strife is Ó΄er (Not in Lent) 587 Rd Amazing Grace 737 Rd At The Lamb’s High Feast We Sing 578 Rd Awake O Sleeper 650 Rd Battle Hymn of the Republic 721 Gr Be Not Afraid 734 Rd Be With Me Lord 123 Rd Blest Are They 774 Rd Bread of Life 498 Gr Center of My Life 593 Gr Come To Me 629 Gr Deep Within 546 Rd Eye Has Not Seen 758 Rd For All the Saints (not in Lent) 889 Rd Here I Am Lord 802 Rd Hosea 471 Gr I Am the Bread of Life 931 Rd I Heard of Voice of Jesus Say 768 Rd I Know That My Redeemer Lives 582 Rd I Know That My Redeemer Lives 482 Gr I the Lord 480 Gr I Will Praise Your Name 193 Rd I Will Walk in the Presence of the Lord 154 Rd In the Land of the Living 56 Rd In You My God 34 Rd Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (not in Lent) 593 Rd Journeysong 581 Gr Joyful Joyful We Adore You (not in Lent) 669 Rd Keep In Mind 940 Rd Let Your Mercy Be On Us 66 Rd Lift High The Cross 884 Rd Litany of the Saints 377 Gr Lord You Have the Words of Everlasting Life 40 Rd Now We Remain 813 Rd On Eagle’s Wings 740 Rd One Bread One Body 915 Rd Only This I Want 575 Gr Remember Your Love 550 Rd Shelter Me O God 626 Gr Sing With all The Saints In Glory 595 Rd Song of the Body of Christ 924 Rd The King of Love My Shepherd Is 766 Rd The Lord is My Light 486 Gr The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation 57 Rd The Lord Is My Shepherd 44 Rd This Alone 621 Gr This Is the Feast of Victory (not in Lent) 583 Rd To You O Lord I Lift My Soul 53 Rd We Have Been Told 815 Rd We Remember 724 Rd We Walk By Faith 723 Rd We Will Rise Again 603 Gr With the Lord There Is Mercy (antiphon #IV) 175 Rd Yahweh, the Faithful One 609 Gr O Sons and Daughters (not in Lent) 579 Rd Yes I shall Arise 491 Gr You Are All We Have 643 Rd You Are Mine 762 Rd You Are Near 619 Gr ** The Hymns in bold can also be used for the Responsorial Psalm Seasonal hymns are appropriate during Christmas and Easter Seasons. Choose a maximum of 4 hymns. If you have any questions please feel free to call the Parish Office 610.777.1697 -
Recommended Readings
A reading from the book of Job
Job answered and said:
Oh, 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.
#1 O.T. Job 19, 1.23-27
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 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 electThe Word of the Lord.
#2 O. T. Wis. 3, 1-9
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 people, 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 people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into account.
The Word of the Lord.
#3 O.T. Wis. 4, 7-14
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.
#4 O.T. Is. 25, 6. 7-9
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 I will 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.
#5 O.T. Lam 3, 17-26
A reading from the book of the prophet Daniel
I Daniel, mourned and I heard this word of the Lord:
“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 awaken; some shall live forever, others shall be in 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.
#6 O.T. Dn 12, 1-3
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Peter proceeded to address the people in these words: “I begin to see how true it is that God shows no partiality. Rather, the person of any nation who fears God and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. This is the message he has sent to the children of Israel, “the good news of peace” proclaimed through Jesus Christ who is Lord of all. I take it you know what has been reported all over Judea about Jesus of Nazareth, beginning in Galilee with the baptism John preached; of the way God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good works and healing all who were in the grip of the devil, and God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him finally, hanging him on a tree, only to have God raise him up on the third day and grant that he been seen, not by all, but only by such witnesses as had been chosen beforehand by God – by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and to bear witness that he is the one set apart by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets testify, saying that everyone who believes in him has forgiveness of sins though his name.”
The Word of the Lord.
#1 N.T. Acts 10, 34-43
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans
Hope will not leave us disappointed, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. At the appointed time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for us godless people. It is rare that anyone should lay down his life for a just one, though it is barely possible that for a good person someone may have the courage to die. It is precisely in this that God proves his love for us: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Now that we have been justified by his blood, it is all the more certain that we shall be saved by him from God’s wrath. For if, when were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him by the death of his Son, it is all the more certain the we who have been reconciled will be saved by his life. Not only that; we go so far as to make God our boast through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
The Word of the Lord.
#2 N.T. Rom 5, 5-11
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans
If death began its reign through one man because of his offense, much more shall those who receive the overflowing grace and gift of justice live and reign through the one man, Jesus Christ.
To sum up, then: just as a single offense brought condemnation to all people, a single righteous act bought all people acquittal and life. Just as through one person’s disobedience all became sinners, so through one man’s obedience all shall become just.
The law came in order to increase offenses; but despite the increase of sin, grace has far surpassed it, so that, as sin reigned through death, grace may reign by way of justice leading to eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Word of the Lord.
#3 N.T. Rom 5, 17-21
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans
Are you not aware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Through baptism into his death we were buried with him, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. If we have been united with him through likeness to his death, so shall we be through a like resurrection. This we know: our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed and we might be slaves to sin no longer. A person who is dead has been freed from sin. If we have died with Christ, we believe that we are also to live with him. We know that Christ, once raised from the dead, will never die again; death has no more power over him.
The Word of the Lord.
#4 N.T. Rom 6, 3-9
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. You did not receive a spirit of slavery leading you back into fear, but a spirit of adoption through which we cry out, “Abba!” (that is Father). The Spirit himself gives witness with our spirit that we are children of God. But if we are children, we are heirs as well: heirs of God, heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so as to be glorified with him.
I consider the sufferings of the present to be as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed in us. Indeed, the whole created world eagerly awaits the revelation of the children of God. Creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but by him who once subjected it; yet not without hope, because the world itself will be freed from its slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. Yes, we know that all creation groans and is in agony even until now. Not only that, but we ourselves, although we have the Spirit as first fruits, groan inwardly while we await the redemption of our bodies.
The Word of the Lord.
#5 N.T. Rom 8, 14-23
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans
If God is for us, who can be against us? Is it possible that he who did not spare his own Son but handed him over or the sake of us all will not grant us all things besides? Who shall bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? God, who justifies? Who shall condemn them? Christ Jesus, who died or rather was raised up, who is at the right hand of God and who intercedes for us?
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Trial, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? Yet in all this we are more than conquerors because of him who has loved us. For I am certain that neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
The Word of the Lord.
#6 N.T. Rom 8, 31-35. 37-39
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans
None of us lives as his own master and none of us dies as his own master. While we live we are responsible to the Lord, and when we die we die as is servants. Both in life and in death we are the Lord’s. That is why Christ died and came to life again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. We shall all have to appear before the judgment seat of God. It is written, “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me and every tongue shall give praise to God.”
Everyone of us will have to give an account of himself before God.
The Word of the Lord.
# 7 N.T. Rom 14, 7-9. 10-12
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. Death came through a man; hence the resurrection of the dead comes through a man also. Just as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will come to life again, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits and then, at his coming, all those who belong to him. After that will come the end, when, after having destroyed every sovereignty, authority, and power, he will hand over the kingdom to God the Father. Christ must reign until God has put all enemies under his feet, and the last enemy to be destroyed is death. Scripture reads that God “has placed all things under his feet.” But when it says that everything has been made subject, it is clear that he who has made everything subject to Christ is excluded. When, finally, all has been subjected to the Son, he will then subject himself o the One who made all things subject to him, so that God may be all in all.
The Word o the Lord.
#8 N.T. 1 Cor 15, 20-24. 25-28
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians
I am going to tell you a mystery, Not all of us shall fall asleep, but all of us are to be changed – in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet. The trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. This corruptible body must be clothed with immortality. When the corruptible frame takes on incorruptibility and the mortal immortality, then will the saying of Scripture be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and sin gets its power from the law. But thanks be to God who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of the Lord.
#9 N. T. 1 Cor 15, 51-57
A reading for the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians
We know that when the earthly tent in which we dwell is destroyed we have a dwelling provided for us by God, a dwelling in the heavens, not made by hands but to last forever.
Therefore we continue to be confident. We know that while we dwell in the body we are away from the Lord.
We walk by faith, not by sight. I repeat, we are full of confidence and would much rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. This is so, we make it our aim to please him whether we are with him or away from him. The lives of all of us are to be revealed before the tribunal of Christ so that each one may receive his recompense, good or bad, according to his life in the body.
The Word of the Lord.
# 10 N.T. 2 Cor 5, 1. 6-10
A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians
We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise
Us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence.
Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in
Abundance on more and more people may cause the
Thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.
Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer
self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day
by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for
us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we
look not to what is seen but to what is unseen. For we know
that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed,
we have a building form God, a dwelling not made with hands,
eternal and in heaven.
The Word of the Lord.
#11 N.T. 2 Cor. 4:13, 5:1
A reading from the first second letter of Paul to the Corinthians
We have that spirit of faith of which the Scripture says,
“Because I believe, I spoke out.” We believe and so we speak,
knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise us
up along with Jesus and place both us and you in his presence.
Indeed, everything is ordered to your benefit, so that the grace
bestowed in abundance may bring glory to God because they
who give thanks are many.
We do not lose heart, because our inner being is renewed each
day even though our body is being destroyed at the same time.
The present burden of our trial is light enough, and earns for us
an eternal weighty of glory beyond all comparison. We do not fix
our gaze on what is seen but on what is unseen. What is the
transition; what is unseen last forever.
Indeed, we know that when the earthy tent in which we dwell is
destroyed we have a dwelling provided for us by God, a dwelling
in the heavens, not made by hands but to last forever.
The Word of the Lord.
#12 N. T. 2 Cor. 4:12-16, 51
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Phillippians
We have our citizenship in heaven; it is from there that we eagerly await the coming of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will give a new form to this lowly body of ours and remake it according to the pattern of his glorified body, by his power to subject everything to himself.
The Word of the Lord.
N.T. #13 Phil 3, 20-21
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians
We would have you be clear about those who sleep in death, brothers and sisters; otherwise you might yield to grief, like those who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, God will bring forth with him from the dead those also who have fallen asleep believing in him. We say to you, as if the Lord himself had said it, that we who live, who survive until his coming, will in no way have an advantage over those who have fallen asleep. No, the Lord himself will come down from heaven at the word of command, at the sound of the archangel’s voice and God’s trumpet; and those who have died in Christ will rise first. Then we, the living, the survivors, will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thenceforth we shall be with the Lord unceasingly. Console one another with this message.
The Word of the Lord.
N.T. #14 1 Thes 4, 13-18
A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy
I for my part am already being poured out like a libation.
The time of my death is near.
I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
From now on a merited crown awaits me;
on that Day the Lord, just judge that he is,
will award it to me – and not only to me,
but to all who have looked for his appearing
with eager longing.
Remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of David,
was raised from the dead. This is the gospel I preach;
in preaching it I suffer as a criminal, even to the point of being thrown into chains – but there is no chaining the word of God! Therefore I bear with all of this for the sake of those whom God has chosen,
in order that they may obtain the salvation to be found in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
You can depend on this: If we have died with him,
we shall also live with him;
if we hold out to the end,
we shall also reign with him.The Word of the Lord
# 15 N.T. 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 2:8-13
A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy
Remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, was raised from the dead. This is the gospel I preach; in preaching it I suffer as a criminal, even to the point of being thrown into chains – but there is no chaining the word of God! Therefore I bear with all of this for the sake of those whom God has chosen, in order that they may obtain the salvation to be found in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
You can depend on this: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we hold out to the end, we shall also reign with him.
But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he will still remain faithful; for he cannot deny himself.
The Word of the Lord.
# 16 N. T. 2 Tm 2, 8-13
A reading from the first letter of John
See what love the Father has bestowed on us in letting us be called children of God! Yet that in fact is what we are. The reason the world does not recognize us is that it never recognized the Son.
Dearly beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall later be has not yet come to light. We know that when it comes to light we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
The Word of the Lord.
#17 N.T. 1 Jn 3, 1-2
A reading from the first letter of John
That we have passed from death to life we know because we love the neighbor. The one who does not love is among the living dead. Anyone who hates his neighbor is a murderer, and you know that eternal life abides in no murderer’s heart. The way we came to understand love was that he laid down his life for us; we too must lay down our lives for our neighbors.
The Word of the Lord.
#18 N.T. 1 Jn 3. 14-16
A reading from the book of Revelation
I, John, heard a voice from heaven say to me:
“Write this down: Happy now are the dead
who die in the Lord!” The Spirit added,
“Yes, they shall find rest from their labors,
for their good works accompany them.”
The Word of the Lord
#19 N.T. Rv 14, 13
A reading from the book of Revelation
I, John, saw new heavens and a new earth. The former heavens and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no longer. I also saw a new Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down out of heaven from God, beautiful as a bride prepared to meet her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne cry out: “This is God’s dwelling among men. He shall dwell with them and they shall be his people, and he shall be their God who is always with them. He shall wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, or crying out in pain, for the former world has passed away.
The one who sat on the throne said to me, “See, I make all things new! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To anyone who thirsts I will give to drink without cost from the spring of life-giving water. He who wins the victory shall inherit these gifts; I will be his God and he shall be my child.”
The Word of the Lord.
#20 N.T. Rv 21, 1-5. 6-7
