A reading from the Book of Wisdom

The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them
and found them worthy of himself.
Like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them forever.
Those who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
and he watches over his elect.

The Word of the Lord

Wisdom 3:1-9

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines.
And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the LORD has spoken.
It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God;
we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the LORD for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

The Word of the Lord

Isaiah 25: 6a, 7-9

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to Timothy

I am already being poured out as a libation,
and the time of my departure has come.
I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
From now on there is reserved for me
the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge,
will give me on that day,
and not only to me
but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

The Word of the Lord

Timothy 4: 6-8

A reading from the first letter of St. John

See what love the Father has given us,
that we should be called children of God;
and that is what we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we will be has not yet been revealed.
What we do know is this:
when he is revealed, we will be like him,
for we will see him as he is.

The Word of the Lord

John 3: 1-2

A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. John

Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house there are many dwelling places.
If it were not so,
would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and will take you to myself,
so that where I am, there you may be also.
And you know the way to the place where I am going."
Thomas said to him,
" Lord, we do not know where you are going.
How can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him,
" I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.

The Gospel of the Lord.

John 14: 1-6

A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

Jesus said, "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 your selves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Matthew 11: 25- 30