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.
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.
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.
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.
