My funeral guide listed 47 biblical passages that could be read during the funeral – nine from the Old Testament (first reading), nineteen from the four gospels, and nineteen from the rest of the New Testament (second reading). In response to my question, Brian said that I could pursue other passages – but the guide’s selection proved sufficient.

The funeral guide listed one caveat – during the “Easter Season,” the first reading must be from either the Acts of the Apostles or the Book of Revelation (versus the Old Testament). The Easter season, also known as Eastertide, lasts for fifty days (from Easter to the feast of Pentecost). Of the 47 biblical passages listed, four (total) were from the Acts of the Apostles and the Book of Revelation. 

I reviewed each of the 47 biblical passages available and selected the following: 

• 2 Maccabees 12:43-46 (first reading, except Easter season)
• Revelation 14:13 (first reading, if during Easter season)
• Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7 (second reading)
• John 6:51-58 (gospel)

I tried to select passages that were especially meaningful to me and passages that I had written about in my A Catholic Prays Scripture series. The passages from Maccabees and John were both referenced in Volume 2 (concerning the sacraments).

As you might expect each of the readings in some way deals with death. I have included the readings below and highlighted some of the words and phrases that deal with death and “life forever.” Check them out; ponder them. I will write more about them in my homily (Parts 8 and 9).

First Reading (except during the Easter season)

2 Maccabees 12:43-46

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 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 sin.

First Reading (during the Easter season)

Revelation 14:13

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 the labors, for their works accompany them.”

Responsorial Psalm

A “Responsorial Psalm” is read or sang between the first (usually Old Testament) and second (always New Testament) readings. The St. Wenceslaus Funeral Guide provided ten options. I selected Option P-3 from Psalm 27, which I will elaborate on in the next part of this series.

Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7

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 son.”

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Jesus said to the crowd: I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” 

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 

Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. 

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. 

For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. 

Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. 

This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

Part 6 Tomorrow = Psalm 27 and the Petitions