FIRST READING: 2 Maccabees 7: 1 - 2, 9 - 14
1 It came to pass also, that seven brethren, together with their mother, were apprehended, and compelled by the king to eat swine's flesh against the law, for which end they were tormented with whips and scourges.
2 But one of them, who was the eldest, said thus: What wouldst thou ask, or learn of us? we are ready to die rather than to transgress the laws of God, received from our fathers.
9 And when he was at the last gasp, he said thus: Thou indeed, O most wicked man, destroyest us out of this present life: but the King of the world will raise us up, who die for his laws, in the resurrection of eternal life.
10 After him the third was made a mocking stock, and when he was required, he quickly put forth his tongue, and courageously stretched out his hands:
11 And said with confidence: These I have from heaven, but for the laws of God I now despise them: because I hope to receive them again from him.
12 So that the king, and they that were with him, wondered at the young man's courage, because he esteemed the torments as nothing.
13 And after he was thus dead, they tormented the fourth in the like manner.
14 And when he was now ready to die, he spoke thus: It is better, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God, to be raised up again by him: for, as to thee thou shalt have no resurrection unto life.
PSALM: Psalms 17: 1, 5 - 6, 8, 15
1 Hear, O Lord, my justice: attend to my supplication. Give ear unto my prayer, which proceedeth not from deceitful lips.
5 Perfect thou my goings in thy paths: that my footsteps be not moved.
6 I have cried to thee, for thou, O God, hast heard me: O incline thy ear unto me, and hear my words.
8 From them that resist thy right hand keep me, as the apple of thy eye. Protect me under the shadow of thy wings.
15 But as for me, I will appear before thy sight in justice: I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear.
SECOND READING: 2 Thessalonian 2: 16 -- 3: 5
16 Exhort your hearts, and confirm you in every good work and word.
1 For the rest, brethren, pray for us, that the word of God may run, and may be glorified, even as among you;
2 And that we may be delivered from importunate and evil men; for all men have not faith.
3 But God is faithful, who will strengthen and keep you from evil.
4 And we have confidence concerning you in the Lord, that the things which we command, you both do, and will do.
5 And the Lord direct your hearts, in the charity of God, and the patience of Christ.
GOSPEL: Luke 20: 27 - 38
27 And there came to him some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is any resurrection, and they asked him,
28 Saying: Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he leave no children, that his brother should take her to wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
30 And the next took her to wife, and he also died childless.
31 And the third took her. And in like manner all the seven, and they left no children, and died.
32 Last of all the woman died also.
33 In the resurrection therefore, whose wife of them shall she be? For all the seven had her to wife.
34 And Jesus said to them: The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
35 But they that shall be accounted worthy of that world, and of the resurrection from the dead, shall neither be married, nor take wives.
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal to the angels, and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
37 Now that the dead rise again, Moses also shewed, at the bush, when he called the Lord, The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;
38 For he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him.
