Readings - Catholic funeral -

First reading: 

A reading from the Book of Wisdom  (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 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.

Second reading:

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans:  (Romans 8:31b - 35, 37-39)

Brothers and sisters:

If God is for us, who can be against us?

He did not spare his own Son

     but handed him over for us all,

     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.

Gospel: 

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 11:25-30)

At that time Jesus answered:

"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

     for although you have hidden these things

     from the wise and the learned

     you have revealed them to the childlike.

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father.

No one knows the Son except the Father,

     and no one knows the Father except the Son

     and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,

     and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

     for I am meek and humble of heart;

     and you will find rest for yourselves.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

The Gospel of the Lord.