Masses for the Dead - Funeral Readings for Children who Died before Baptism

First Reading

Isaiah 25:6a, 7-8b

He will destroy death forever.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

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 word of the Lord.

Or:

Lamentations 3:22-26

It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord.

A reading from the Book of Lamentations

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.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7b, 17 and 20

R/.  To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
     teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
     for you are God my savior.  R/.

Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
     and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
     because of your goodness, O LORD.  R/.

Relieve the troubles of my heart;
     bring me out of my distress.
Preserve my life, and rescue me;
     let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.  R/.

Gospel Acclamation

2 Corinthians 1:3b-4a

Blessed be the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement,
who encourages us in our every affliction.

Or:

Revelation 1:5a, 6b

Jesus Christ is the firstborn from the dead;
glory and kingship be his forever and ever. Amen.

Gospel

Matthew 11:25-30

You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned and have revealed them to the childlike.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

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.

Or:

Mark 15:33-46

Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

At noon darkness came over the whole land
     until three in the afternoon.
And at three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
     "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?"
     which is translated,
     "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Some of the bystanders who heard it said,
     "Look, he is calling Elijah."
One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed,
     and gave it to him to drink, saying,
     "Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down."
Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom.
When the centurion who stood facing him
     saw how he breathed his last he said,
     "Truly this man was the Son of God!"
There were also women looking on from a distance.
Among them were Mary Magdalene,
     Mary the mother of the younger James, and of Joses, and Salome.
These women had followed him when he was in Galilee
     and ministered to him.
There were also many other women
     who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

When it was already evening,
     since it was the day of preparation,
     the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea,
     a distinguished member of the council,
     who was himself awaiting the Kingdom of God,
     came and courageously went to Pilate
     and asked for the Body of Jesus.
Pilate was amazed that he was already dead.
He summoned the centurion
     and asked him if Jesus had already died.
And when he learned of it from the centurion,
     he gave the Body to Joseph.
Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down,
     wrapped him in the linen cloth,
     and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock.
Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Or:

John 19:25-30

Behold, your mother.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
     and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
     and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved
     he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son."
Then he said to the disciple,
     "Behold, your mother."
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

After this, aware that everything was now finished,
     in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
     Jesus said, "I thirst."
There was a vessel filled with common wine.
So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop
     and put it up to his mouth.
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,
     "It is finished."
And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

The Gospel 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; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. 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.