When a loved one dies please contact the parish office to make funeral arrangements at18 Greenwood Place, Buffalo, NY 14213, 716-885-2469.

Planning a funeral for a loved one can be a difficult time.  There are many considerations and decisions to be made which can lead to a lot of confusion.  The pastoral staff at Our lady of Hope Church wants to help.  After the loss of a loved one and prior to the funeral when you contact the church, the priest or pastoral associate will work with you to help you plan the funeral.  This section is written to explain the normal stages of the Rite of Christian burial when a Catholic dies.  The Rite of Christian Burial in the Catholic Church consists of three parts: the wake, the funeral Mass and the internment at the cemetery.

Since the beginning of the Church, these special liturgical rites have accompanied the burial of the dead.  They express the faith both of the deceased and of the Christian community entrusted with the responsibility of burying reverently her members who have died.  Our Lady of Hope Church will help you to prepare a funeral according to the Catholic tradition.  While we hope to fulfill all of your and your family's wishes with regard to the funeral, we will help you follow the directives set up by the Catholic Church. 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When my loved one dies, whom should I call?  You should contact the funeral home and then the church to speak with a priest or pastoral assistant.

After a Catholic has already died, should we call for the priest for the Last Rites?  Yes, you should call the priest who will come to the home or hospital and pray the Prayers for the Dead.  The Last Rites or Anointing of the Sick should only be administered to a person who is living.

Does a Catholic always have a Funeral Mass or is a graveside ceremony sufficient? The Funeral Mass is the appropriate and worthy ceremony for the funeral of a Catholic.  Considerations of time, finances or a desire to lessen grieving should not weigh against the Funeral Mass.

What if we only have a few family members?  The Funeral Mass may be celebrated in the church.

Are there times when a Mass would not be appropriate?  Yes, if a person was not a Catholic or not a practicing Catholic, a graveside service might be more appropriate.  The priest can help with this decision.

Can a non-Catholic spouse be buried from a Catholic Church?  Yes, if the non-Catholic did not have a church of his/her own and the Catholic family member requests it, the funeral, including the Mass can be celebrated.

If you have any questions not answered in this section please feel free to ask a priest or give the parish office a call at 716-885-2469.

THE WAKE

The wake is the important first part of the Church's funeral rites.  it provides that opportunity for those close to the deceased to express their grief adn to be together as they prepare for the funeral.  As a part of the Rite of Christian Burial, it should be planned and carried out with great respect for our Catholic faith and tradition.  Normally, the wake is held at the funeral home.  Below are a few considerations when planning the wake:

• The wake consists of two scripture readings, prayers and intercessions for the deceased, and usually the recitation of the Rosary.
• Some parishioners have hours of visitation before or after a prayer service. 
• The wake is the appropriate time for members of the family and friends to share memories of the deceased or to pay tribute to the deceased. 
• It is the appropriate time to display photographs and other objects which were dear to the deceased.
• It is the appropriate time to play a favorite secular piece of music or song.

SCRIPTURE  READINGS FOR THE LITURGY OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL

You can help plan a funeral liturgy for your loved one by choosing the scripture readings to be proclaimed at the Funeral Mass. These are some of the possible readings as given in the Church’s Funeral Rites. There are three readings in funeral liturgies: the first reading is from the Old Testament #1 – 9; the second reading is from the New Testament #10 – 27; and the Gospel #28 - 43. The psalm response after the first reading is sung by the cantor. 

(Download Readings)

Possible First Readings

1. A reading from the book of Job (Jb 19, 1. 23-27) Job answered and said: Oh, would 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 innermost being is consumed with longing. The Word of the Lord.
2. A reading from the book of Wisdom (Wis 3, 1-6. 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. 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.
3. A reading from the book of Wisdom (Wis 4, 7-14) 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 men, 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 the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into account. The Word of the Lord.
4. A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah (Is 25, 6. 7-9) 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 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.
5. A reading from the book of Lamentations (Lam 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.
   
6. A reading from the book of the prophet Daniel (Dn 12, 1-3) “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 awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an 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.
7. A reading from the second book of Maccabees (2 Mc 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 useless and 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 this sin. The word of the Lord.
   
8. A reading from the Book of Proverbs (31: 10, 12, 17, 20, 25, 28, 30, 31) Who can make the discovery of a woman of virtue? Her value is much higher than jewels and riches. She does good and not evil all the days of her life. She puts a band of strength around her, her arms are strong. Her hands are stretched out to the poor; and, yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need. Strength and self-respect are her clothing, she faces the future with a smile. She speaks with gentle wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue. Her children get up and give her honor, and people give her praise, saying: “Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.” A woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised. Give her credit for what her hands have done. She deserves the respect of everyone. The Word of the Lord.
9. A reading from the book of Sirach: Listen to your father, O children; and act accordingly, that you may be kept in safety. For the Lord honored the father above the children, and he confirmed the right of the mother over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and whoever glorifies his mother is like the one who lays up treasure. Whoever honors his father will be gladdened by his own children; and when he prays he will be heard. Whoever glorifies his father will have a long life, and whoever obeys the Lord will refresh his mother; he will serve his parents as his masters. Honor your father by word and deed, that a blessing from him may come upon you. For a father’s blessing strengthens the houses of his children…Kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and against your sins it will be credited to you; in the day of your affliction it will be remembered in your favor. The Word of the Lord.

Possible Second Readings

1. A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 10, 34-36. 42-43) Peter proceeded to address the people in these words: “I begin to see how true it is that God shows no partiality. Rather, the man of any nation who fears God and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. This is the message he has sent to the sons of Israel, ‘the good news of peace’ proclaimed through Jesus Christ who is Lord of all. 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 through his name.” The Word of the Lord.
2. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (Rom 5, 5-11) Hope will not leave us disappointed, because the love of God has been poured out in 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 men. It is rare that anyone should lay down his life for a just man, though it is barely possible that for a good man 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 we are God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him by the death of his Son, it is all the more certain that 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.
3. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (Rom 5, 17-21) If death begins 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 men, a single righteous act brought all men acquittal and life. Just as through one man’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.
4. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (Rom 6, 3-4. 8-9) 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 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.
5. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (Rom 8, 14-23) All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons 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 sons 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 ourselves, although we have the Spirit as first fruits, groan inwardly while we await the redemption of our bodies. The Word of the Lord.
6. A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans (Rom 8, 31-35. 37-39) 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 for 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 death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, no power, 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.
7. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (Rom 14, 7-9. 10-12) 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 his 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.” Every one of us will have to give an account of himself before God. The Word of the Lord.
8. A reading from the first Letter of Paul to the Corinthians (1 Cor 15, 20-24, 25-28) 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 to the One who made all things subject to him, so that God may be all in all. The Word of the Lord.
9. A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians (1 Cor 15, 51-57) 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 incorruptibility, this mortal body 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.
10. A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians (2 Cor 5, 1.6-10) 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 being 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.
    
11. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians (Phil 3, 20-21) 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.
12. A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians (1 Thes 4, 13-18) We would have you be clear about those who sleep in death, brothers; 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.
13. A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy (2 Tm 2, 8-13) 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.
14. A reading from the first letter of John (1 Jn 3, 1-2) 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. 
15. A reading from the first letter of John (1 Jn 3, 14-16) That we have passed from death to life we know because we love the brothers. The man who does not love is among the living dead. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life abides in no murderer’s heart. The way we come to understand love was that he laid down his life for us; we too must lay down our lives for our brothers. The Word of the Lord.
16. A reading from the book of Revelation (Rv 14, 13) 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.
17. A reading from the book of Revelation (Rv 20, 11-21, 1)I, John, saw a large white throne and the One who sat on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence until they could no longer be seen. I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne. Lastly, among the scrolls, the book of the living was opened. The dead were judged according to their conduct as recorded on the scrolls. The sea gave up its dead; then death and the nether world gave up their dead. Each person was judged according to his conduct. Then death and the nether world were hurled into the pool of fire which is the second death; anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the book of the living was hurled into this pool of fire. Then I saw new heavens and a new earth. The former heavens and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no longer there. The Word of the Lord.
18. A reading from the book of Revelation (Rv 21, 1-5. 6-7) 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, crying out or 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 son.” The Word of the Lord.

Possible Gospel Readings

1. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 5, 1-12) When Jesus saw the crowds he went up on the mountainside. After he had sat down his disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them: “How blest are the poor in spirit: the reign of God is theirs. Blest too are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled. Blest are the lowly; they shall inherit the land. Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill. Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs. Blest are the single-hearted, for they shall see God. Blest too the peacemakers; they shall be called children of God. Blest are those persecuted for holiness’ sake; the reign of God is theirs. Blest are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of slander against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, for your reward in Heaven is great.” The Gospel of the Lord.
2. A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew (Mt 11, 25-30) On one occasion Jesus said: “Father, Lord of heaven and earth, to you I offer praise; for what you have hidden from the learned and the clever you have revealed to the merest children. Father, it is true. You have graciously willed it so. Everything has been given over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son but the Father, and no one knows the Father but the Son – and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who  are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light.” The Gospel of the Lord.
3. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 25, 1-13) Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The reign of God can be likened to ten bridesmaids who took their torches and went out to welcome the groom. Five of them were foolish, while the other five were sensible. The foolish ones, in taking their torches, brought no oil along, but the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their torches. The groom delayed his coming, so they all began to nod, then to fall asleep. At midnight someone shouted, ‘The groom is here! Come and greet him!’ At the outcry all the virgins woke up and got their torches ready. The foolish ones said to the sensible, ‘Give us some of your oil. Our torches are going out!’ But the sensible ones replied, ‘No, there may not be enough for you and us. You had better go to the dealers and buy yourselves some.’ While they went off to buy it the groom arrived, and the ones who were ready went in to the wedding with him. Then the door was barred. Later the other bridesmaids came back. ‘Master, master!’ they cried. ‘Open the door for us.’ But he answered, ‘I tell you, I do not know you.’ The moral is: keep your eyes open, for you know not the day or the hour.” The Gospel of the Lord.
4. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew ( Mt 25, 31-46.) Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels of heaven, he will sit upon his royal throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. Then he will separate them into two groups, as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The sheep he will place on his right hand, the goats on his left. The king will say to those on his right: ‘Come. You have my Father’s blessing! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food,  I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me. I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the just will ask him: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you drink? When did we welcome you away from home or clothe you in your nakedess? When did we visit you when you were ill or in prison?’ The king will answer them: ‘I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left: ‘Out of my sight, you condemned, into that everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels! I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink. I was away from home and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing. I was ill and in prison and you did not come to comfort me.’ Then they in turn will ask: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or away from home or naked or ill or in prison and not attend you in your needs?’ He will answer them: ‘I assure you, as often as you neglected to do it to one of the least ones, you neglected to do it to me.’ These will go off to eternal punishment and the just to eternal life.” The Gospel of the Lord.
5. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 15, 33-39) When noon came, darkness fell on the whole countryside and lasted until mid-afternoon. At that time Jesus cried in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” A few of the bystanders who heard it remarked, “Listen! He is calling on Elijah!” Someone ran off, and soaking a sponge in sour wine, stuck it on a reed to try to make him drink. The man said, “Now let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down.” Then Jesus, uttering a loud cry, breathed his last. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The centurion who stood guard over him, on seeing the manner of his death, declared, “Clearly this man was the Son of God!” The Gospel of the Lord.
6. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 7, 11-17)Jesus went to a town called Naim, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he approached the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of a widowed mother. A considerable crowd of townsfolk was with her. The Lord was moved with pity upon seeing her and said to her, “Do not cry.” Then he stepped forward and touched the litter; at this, the bearers halted. He said, “Young man, I bid you get up. The dead man sat up and began to speak. Then Jesus gave him back to his mother. Fear seized them all and they began to praise God. “A great prophet has risen among us,” they said; and, “God has visited his people.” This was the report that spread about him throughout Judea and the surrounding country. The Gospel of the Lord.
7. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 12, 35-40) Jesus told his disciples: “Let your belts be fastened around your waists and your lamps be burning ready. Be like men awaiting their master’s return from a wedding, so that when he arrives and knocks, you will open for him without delay. It will go well with those servants whom the master finds wide-awake on his return. I tell you, he will put on an apron, seat them at table, and proceed to wait on them. Should he happen to come at midnight or before sunrise and find them prepared, it will go well with them. You know as well as I that if the head of the house knew when the thief was coming he would not let him break into his house. Be on guard, therefore. The Son of Man will come when you least expect him.” The Gospel of the Lord.
8. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 23, 33. 39-43) When Jesus and the others came to Skull Place, as it was called, they crucified him there and the criminals as well, one on his right and the other on his left. One of the criminals hanging in crucifixion blasphemed him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Then save yourself and us.” But the other one rebuked him: “Have you no fear of God, seeing you are under the same sentence? We deserve it, after all. We are only paying the price for what we’ve done, but this man has done nothing wrong.” He then said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter upon your reign.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you: this day you will be with me in paradise.” The Gospel of the Lord.
9. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 23, 44-49) It was around midday, and darkness came over the whole land until midafternoon with an eclipse of the sun. The curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two. Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” After he had said this, he expired. The centurion, upon seeing what had happened, gave glory to God by saying, “Surely this was an innocent man.” After the crowd assembled for this spectacle witnessed what had happened, they returned beating their breasts. All his friends and the women who had accompanied him from Galilee were standing at a distance watching everything. The Gospel of the Lord.
10. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 24, 13-16. 28-35) Two of the disciples of Jesus on that same day were making their way to a village named Emmaus seven miles distant from Jerusalem, discussing as they went all that had happened. In the course of their lively exchange, Jesus approached and began to walk along with them. However, they were restrained from recognizing him. By now they were near the village to which they were going, and he acted as if he were going farther. But they pressed him: “Stay with us. It is nearly evening – the day is practically over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he had seated himself with them to eat, he took bread, pronounced the blessing, then broke the bread and began to distribute it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him; whereupon he vanished from their sight. They said to one another. “Were not our hearts burning inside us as he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” They got up immediately and returned to Jerusalem, where they found the Eleven and the rest of the company assembled. They were greeted with, “The Lord has been raised! It is true! He has appeared to Simon.” Then they recounted what had happened on the road and how they had come to know him in the breaking of bread. The Gospel of the Lord. 
11. A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 6, 37-40) Jesus said to the crowd: “All that the Father gives me shall come to me; no one who comes will I ever reject, because it is not to do my own will that I have come down from heaven, but to do the will of him who sent me. It is the will of him who sent me that I should lose nothing of what he has given me; rather, that I should raise it up on the last day. Indeed, this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life. Him I will raise up on the last day.” The Gospel of the Lord.
12. A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 6, 51-58) Jesus told the crowd: “I myself am the living bread come down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread he shall live forever; the bread I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.” At this the Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can he give us his flesh to eat?” Thereupon Jesus said to them: “Let me solemnly assure you, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. He who feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has life eternal, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood real drink. The man who feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the Father who has life sent me and I have life because of the Father, so the man 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 died nonetheless, the man who feeds on this bread shall live forever.” The Gospel of the Lord.
13. A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 11, 21-27) Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would never have died. Even now, I am sure that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus assured her. “I know he will rise again,” Martha replied, “in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her: “I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in me, though he would die, will come to life; and whoever is alive and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord, “she replied. “I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God: he who is to come into the world.” The Gospel of the Lord.
14. A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 12, 23-26) Jesus told his disciples: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I solemnly assure you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. The man who loves his life loses it, while the man who hates his life in this world preserves it to life eternal. If anyone would serve me, let him follow me; where I am, there will my servant be. Anyone who serves me, the Father will honor.” The Gospel of the Lord.
15. A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 14, 1-6) Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places; otherwise, how could I have told you that I was going to prepare a place for you? I am indeed going to prepare a place for you, and then I shall come back to take you with me, that where I am you also may be. You know the way hat leads where I go. “Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus told him: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” The Gospel of the Lord.
16. A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 17, 24-26) Raising his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed and said: “Father, all those you gave me I would have in my company where I am, to see this glory of mine which is your gift to me, because of the love you bore me before the world began. Just Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you; and these men have known that you sent me. To them I have revealed your name, and I will continue to reveal it so that your love for me may live in them, and I may live in them.” The Gospel of the Lord.

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