Masses for the Dead - Readings from the New Testament during Easter Time
From the Lectionary for Mass, no. 1012
Only these readings may be selected as the First Reading during Easter Time.
Acts 10:34-43 (short form, 10:34-36, 42-43)
He is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.- Omit the words in bolded brackets [ ] for the short form of this reading
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Peter proceeded to speak, saying:
"In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
is acceptable to him.
You know the word that he sent to the children of Israel
as he proclaimed peace throughJesus Christ, who is Lord of all,
[what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the
baptism
that John preached,
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good
and healing all those oppressed by
the Devil,
for God was with him.
We are witnesses of all that he did
both in the country of the Jews and
in Jerusalem.
They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.
This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be
visible,
not to all the people, but to us,
the witnesses chosen by God in
advance,
who ate and drank with him after he
rose from the dead.]
He commissioned us to preach to the people
and testify that he is the one
appointed by God
as judge of the living and the
dead.
To him all the prophets bear witness,
that everyone who believes in him
will receive forgiveness of sins
through his name."
The word of the Lord.
Revelation 14:13
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.A reading from the Book of Revelation
I, John, 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 their
labors,
for their works accompany them."
The word of the Lord.
Revelation 20:11—21:1
The dead were judged according to their deeds.A reading from the Book of Revelation
I, John, saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it.The earth and the sky fled from his presence
and there was no place for them.
I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne,
and scrolls were opened.
Then another scroll was opened, the book of life.
The dead were judged according to their deeds,
by what was written in the scrolls.
The sea gave up its dead;
then Death and Hades gave up their dead.
All the dead were judged according to their deeds.
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire.
(This pool of fire is the second death.)
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life
was thrown into the pool of fire.
Then 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.
The word of the Lord.
Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7
There shall be no more death.A reading from the Book of Revelation
I, John, 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."
The word of the Lord.
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.