Funeral Readings | St. Thomas More

To baptize in the Catholic church, at least one parent needs to be Catholic. Baptisms at Saint Thomas More are open to registered parishioners.

Parents and Godparents are required to attend a Baptism Preparation session through a virtual format such as Zoom through an appointment with the pastor. In this way, everyone can gain insight in what to expect on the day of your child’s Baptism.

Parents are required to provide appropriate documentation for the child’s Catholic godparent(s) before the baptism is scheduled. Information about the requirements for Godparents is available below and at the Bap- tism preparation session.

When you invite a person to serve as your child’s godparent, you are asking this individual to make a lifelong commitment to your child. The day of your child’s Baptism marks just the beginning of the godparent- godchild relationship. It is the hope of the church and the Catholic community that your child’s godparents will be lifelong companions who will nurture your child’s faith and help him or her become a true disciple of Christ. Only one Catholic godparent is required for a child to be baptized, but if two godparents are chosen one must be male and one must be female.

To serve as a Catholic godparent, an individual must be:

A baptized Catholic who has received the Sacrament of Confirmation and regularly participates in the celebration of Sunday Eucharist. If married, the Catholic godparent must be married in the Catholic Church.
Registered as an active member of a Catholic parish
Sixteen years old or older

When you ask someone to act as a Catholic Baptismal Sponsor, please have them contact their current parish and request a Godparent form or letter of good standing. This helps affirm that the Godparent has their church’s permission to do so, and meets the above guidelines for Catholic Godparents. This form or letter is required before a baptism will be scheduled. A physical copy of this form or letter should be mailed or dropped off to:

St. Thomas More Catholic Church

10935 S. Military Trail Boynton Beach, FL 33436

Any person who was baptized in the Catholic church who wishes to serve as a godparent must meet the above requirements.

If a Godparent cannot be physically present for the Baptism, a proxy may stand in their place by the Baptismal font. The proxy is not required to provide documentation from their church, as they are giving assent on behalf of the recorded Godparent.

At least one Catholic godparent is required. A non-Catholic person who was baptized in another Christian tradition may be invited to serve as a “Christian Witness.” This person will participate in the celebration and will stand alongside the Catholic godparent during the baptismal ceremony. If one Catholic Godparent and one Christian witness are chosen, one will be male and one will be female, per the Code of Canon Law for the Catholic Church.

A person who was baptized in the Catholic church and has decided to leave the Catholic church of their own volition is not considered a Christian Witness. However, your invitation to them could be an opportunity to invite them back to participation in the Catholic church.

A baptized, non-Catholic may serve as an Official witness to the baptism, only if there is proper Catholic sponsor who fully meets all requirements of a godparent. The non-Catholic who is selected as a witness should be an active and participating member of his/her church community. During the baptism, a Non-Catholic witness may perform all the parts of the ceremony that a godparent does. His or her name will be entered into the Sacrament Record Book as an Official witness, together with the name of the godparent.

Father Harris and Father Vargas,

I want to take some time to tell you how much I appreciate your friendship and the opportunity to be involved with your church.

This year is the 17th year of my father’s passing. I was 19. I wasn’t too young, but young enough to miss that father figure. Ever since then, I had searched for one. I moved back to New York to be closer with my uncle (my father’s closest brother and business partner) to seek that relationship. He did well, but something was missing. Or maybe with the recent passing of my father, my heart was still grieving that I truly couldn’t see the benefit.

So for nearly half my life, I felt a void. I was a young man when my father passed, so I had already learned the basics of life from him. I had a great start and I was a good kid at heart. But I needed to know how to become a great man.

I was never one for learning in school. I was truly my dad’s son. He was basically educated and didn’t finish high school. He was an immigrant from Sicily. He started owning businesses around 18, and everything he touched was successful. I admired that. I wanted to be that. It didn’t matter if he knew nothing about the business he got into. He knew business itself and he learned. I loved the way he could do anything. That’s what I wanted to be when I grew up. I just wanted to learn from him and be partners. And after graduating high school, I didn’t have plans for college. Then my dad got sick, and he wasn’t in the position to mentor me like how I had always dreamed. I needed to do something.

After many years of feeling lost and trying a wide range of jobs, I do feel like I have finally landed on my feet professionally, but that is only half of what I needed from my dad. The other half was becoming a man mentally.

My wonderful wife has done a great job at taking a partially broken boy and steering him into manhood. I’m sure it’s been challenging for her at times. She is such a good person. She definitely set me on the right path.

I feel so blessed that God led me to St. Thomas More and for whatever reason, Father Vargas felt I would be a good candidate for a Master of Ceremony. I got the chance to become closer to God and form a friendship with both of you. One that I value and respect. Through our friendship, I am able to develop the peace to become a good person, father and husband, and finally becoming a man. It’s not your age that makes you a man - that much I know.

I was distant from God for a bit and was never raised in the church. We only went through the bare minimum we needed to make our sacraments. So when we had to find a church to baptize my daughter, I wanted my wife to take care of it. I would show up on that day and go through the motions, but that’s pretty much it.

We recently moved back to Florida, so we didn’t know the churches near us. My wife had gotten every sacrament in her old church down in Ft. Lauderdale, so we thought that was a pretty good place to start. They gave us a hard time for one reason or another, so we had to look elsewhere.

Jen went to St. Thomas More one Sunday and came home to tell me about it. She loved it. I went with them the next weekend and heard Father Harris speak for the first time. It was your first day back from being in the hospital or something, but the support and love from the congregation was evident. It was moving to me. I felt something I had never felt before. I was instantly hooked.

We went the week after and Father Vargas was giving Mass. I was honestly a little bummed that it wasn’t Father Harris, but as I listened to Father Vargas speak, I was equally impressed. I was amazed that this one church had two incredible fathers with such insight, wisdom, charisma, character and presence. Wow, just wow. You guys are amazing. I’m not sure you know how great you both are. That’s part of why I am writing you his letter.

Nearly half of my life searching for a father figure and now I can say I’ve found two actual fathers to fill that role. I am forever grateful. Thank you. My heart and my eyes are open.

Losing someone is never easy, especially as you face this alone. Visit in person St. Thomas More Church, where we will listen to your voice and offer words of comfort. Our beautiful church provides an open channel of communication between you, our dedicated staff, and God.
Registered parishioners can set up a meeting with our Parish Counselor after the funeral is over. Meetings can be scheduled by either calling or visiting the Parish Office. Our counselors will give you further support during this difficult time.

Call or Visit the Parish Office and fill out a Funeral Request Form. Review Funeral Prices and select the options that best fit you.
Since our church calendar is full with two priests on campus. The Church will get back to you in 1 - 2 business days to confirm dates and services.
After date confirmations, please ensure to fill out the Funeral Liturgy Form. This form will let you select specific readings and songs to be presented in the Funeral.

Funerals Request Form | Price Packages | Readings & Music

Losing someone is never easy, especially as you face this alone. Visit in person St. Thomas More Church, where we will listen to your voice and offer words of comfort. Our beautiful church provides an open channel of communication between you, our dedicated staff, and God.
Registered parishioners can set up a meeting with our Parish Counselor after the funeral is over. Meetings can be scheduled by either calling or visiting the Parish Office. Our counselors will give you further support during this difficult time.

Call or Visit the Parish Office and fill out a Funeral Request Form. Review Funeral Prices and select the options that best fit you.
Since our church calendar is full with two priests on campus. The Church will get back to you in 1 - 2 business days to confirm dates and services.
After date confirmations, please ensure to fill out the Funeral Liturgy Form. This form will let you select specific readings and songs to be presented in the Funeral.

Funerals Request Form | Price Packages | Readings & Music

Losing someone is never easy, especially as you face this alone. Visit in person St. Thomas More Church, where we will listen to your voice and offer words of comfort. Our beautiful church provides an open channel of communication between you, our dedicated staff, and God.
Registered parishioners can set up a meeting with our Parish Counselor after the funeral is over. Meetings can be scheduled by either calling or visiting the Parish Office. Our counselors will give you further support during this difficult time.

Call or Visit the Parish Office and fill out a Funeral Request Form. Review Funeral Prices and select the options that best fit you.
Since our church calendar is full with two priests on campus. The Church will get back to you in 1 - 2 business days to confirm dates and services.
After date confirmations, please ensure to fill out the Funeral Liturgy Form. This form will let you select specific readings and songs to be presented in the Funeral.

Notify friends and family members about the Funeral and ensure that they will attend. This information is important to make sure seating arrangements are sufficient.
If you have any more requests or updates for music or readings please contact the Parish Office and advise them of any changes. No secular music is allowed in the church.
If you selected our Flower & Decoration service, please ensure orders are sent to St. Thomas More Church 1 day before the funeral. You are responsible for ordering the flowers and delivering them to the church.
Make sure everyone is informed on routes to the cemetery and has reliable transportation.
Inform your friends and family of the protocols of a Catholic Funeral. Here are a few. No cellphones during the Ceremony, if you are no a practicing catholic you will not take part during the distribution of Communion. If you desire a blessing for yourself just make the

At St. Thomas More Church

Due to the number of events of the church, all funerals in Saint Thomas More are scheduled at 10:00 AM

Location Of The Mass

Most funerals take place in our beautiful chapel of the Holy Sepulcher. Everything about this chapel represents the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord, and of the people who accompanied Him through suffering into eternal Life. As such it is a mirror of our lives as we bring our loved ones to Church for a funeral or memorial Mass. We can find our place and comfort with the Blessed Mother of Sorrows as she bears witness at the foot of the cross and as she holds her son’s body in the midst of her family and mourners. The image of St. Peter and the crowing of the Rooster reminds us that we have all fallen short in some way before God, but that with Our Lord is fulness of forgiveness for our loved ones and for each one of us.

FUNERAL or MEMORIAL MASS

We celebrate a Funeral Mass, the Mass of the Resurrection when our loved one’s body or cremains are present in the Chapel. We commemorate our loved ones with a Memorial Mass when they have already been buried or are not available to bring to Church. We approach each situation with the same care and compassion for the family and dignified reverence for your loved one.

HOLY SEPULCHER CHAPEL

The Holy Sepulcher Chapel is designed to live-stream the Funeral if that is your desire. We can comfortably accommodate up to 250 of your family and guests in the chapel. If you are expecting more in attendance, then you may need to consider the Main Sanctuary.

CHURCH OF THE INCARNATION

The main sanctuary is centered around the Altar of the Incarnation. All of the adornments are original works of art and were inspired and commissioned by our clergy for St. Thomas More Church. The magnificent stained glass, the mosaics of the Stations of the Cross, and the medallions leading up to the Alter proclaim the Life of Our Savior and our faith and trust in him. Service in the Church requires prior permission and planning as it requires more of our parish staff to be present during the Funeral.

LECTORS AT THE FUNERAL MASS At St. Thomas More Church reading the Scripture at a Catholic Funeral Mass is the role of a lector. The lector is a lay minister; therefore, reading is only permitted to practicing Catholics. We invite a family member of the deceased to perform this very sacred and special duty at the Mass. If you have a family member who feels able to practice the reading in advance and capable of reading during the Mass, then you may inform us in advance. Remember, the emotional stress of losing a loved one may render family members incapable of performing this task at the funeral. If you have a family friend who is a practicing Catholic and is willing to read on behalf of the family, then we will welcome that person. If no family member or friend is able to read at the Mass, then our office will assign an appropriate person to lector at the Funeral Mass. Lector should arrive at the Funeral at least 30 minutes prior to the Mass in order to familiarize themselves with the chapel, the other ministers, and the order of the service. Lectors should dress in an appropriate, formal manner in keeping with the dignity and solemnity of a Funeral. COMMUNION AT THE FUNERAL MASS Our priests offer Holy Communion to all practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church and who are spiritually disposed and prepared to receive the Sacrament. For those who are not prepared to receive Communion and for your non-Catholic guests, our priests offer the blessing. He will announce this prior the distribution of Holy Communion, that any person who would like to receive a blessing only should come forward, cross his or her hands across the chest, receive the formal blessing, and then return to be seated. COVID PRECAUTIONS AT HOLY COMMUNION You are encouraged but not required to wear a face covering. As a safeguard for you and our staff, our clergy always wear face coverings, linen gloves and use liturgical tongs to distribute Holy Communion to each individual. We ask that you to come forward in the usual manner, receive Holy Communion in the hands, and then return to be seated.

The Funeral Mass and The Homily

Here at St. Thomas More Church we urge you to prepare a life-story of the deceased so that our clergy may deliver a homily that is personal, comforting and healing for the family and friends. The homily is not a eulogy. Homilies are an integral part of the Holy Mass and are delivered by a priest. Through the homily the priest connects the life of your loved one to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to His Life-giving Sacrifice in Holy Communion. It is not just a story of a life, but an act of worship and ministry. Eulogies take place outside of the Mass, normally at wakes in a funeral home, or in gatherings after the Mass at home or at a restaurant to celebrate the life of the loved one and to strengthen the bonds of love among the survivors. Humorous and sometimes embarrassing stories along with playing favorite secular music have proper place among family and friends, but not in the Church at Mass. The priest is spiritually and emotionally prepared to honor your loved one and to minister to you in your time of shock, grief and loss. One can never know how stress and sadness may overwhelm any family member at the funeral; therefore, it is best to allow the priest to speak for the family on this occasion. The life-story is a compromise between the needs of the family to express their love and memories and the needs of The Church. The life-story, then, is your opportunity to provide your personal recollections about your loved one, the important events in his life, his place in the family, his character and his qualities and above all his spirituality and the manner in which he lived his faith, prayed and worshiped. In planning for your funeral at St. Thomas More Church we encourage you to spend quality time as a family in preparing a written account of this person’s life so that it expresses the heart and mind of the family.

This is your opportunity to help us here at St. Thomas More Parish to prepare ourselves to serve you in this time of loss. The Catholic Mass is a very spiritual and mystical time when the life of your loved one is joined with the person of Jesus Christ. Our Faith teaches us that a baptized person has already died with Christ in Baptism and will rise with Him to share in eternal life. Many people live lives of the exemplary Christian faith. They worship, minister in their churches, volunteer in charitable activities, and carry out works of mercy towards neighbors and the poor. If this describes your loved ones, then share those particulars with us, and the clergy will try to incorporate them into his reflections at Mass.

We all have characters, virtues, examples of self-sacrifice, and kindnesses that are often known only to family and a few intimate friends. If your loved one was not an outwardly religious person, they were certainly spiritual and good human beings. Please share this with us and we will try to honor the life of your loved one during Mass. Please try to avoid lists of hobbies, favorite foods, and travels as these are for outside of the Church Service. But here in the Church, we desire to lift up to our Lord the character and faith of the person, their lives as spouses, parents, grandparents, and stalwart friends, as we appeal for mercy and peace.

We are praying for you as you compose this very important Life-Story. We encourage you to do this with your family as a lasting tribute and a way to express your own thoughts and feelings during this very difficult time.

The impact of losing someone is one of the hardest experiences people go through in life. It is why maintaining a close relationship with the church is important to relieve some of this pain. Attend masses and be a part of the community, all of this helps ensure a strong faith in God.
If you would like to honor the departed further, consult with our Parish Office about doing an engraving on one of our many beautiful gardens. In addition, you and attendees may purchase a recorded video of the Funeral, where it can be watched online.

LIVE-STREAMING AND CAMERAS

Both the Chapel and the Church are designed for live broadcasting the Mass. No expense has been spared to provide the best video, audio, and multiple cameras to bring this solemn and reverent worship to people close and far away. There is no distance for us when we can communicate and have the Mass live for our loved ones. In the best of times, it is difficult to travel long distances. Family and work obligations make it nearly impossible to attend funerals at a distance, and we all have loved ones who are too ill or infirm for travel. We are equipped with the most advanced technology at St. Thomas More Church and can provide a live experience of the Mass so that your family participates no matter where they are in the world.

Please take a moment to scan and download our free St. Thomas More App so that you may see the Funeral Mass and have all of the information you may need to plan a beautiful memorial for your loved one and your family.

Some families have the privilege of having a son or relative who is an ordained Catholic priest or perhaps a priest who is close to the family and request that he be the principal celebrant or a concelebrant at the Funeral Mass.

We are open to hosting any Priest who is in Good Standing with The Church. Before we can invite them to officiate or participate, he must complete the requirements of the Diocese of Palm Beach. The priest must make a formal petition to the Most Rev. Gerald Barbarito, Bishop of Palm Beach, through his chancellor, Very Rev. Albert Dello Russo, JCL and submit a current “certificate of aptitude” from his own Bishop and chancellor. He should address his letter and certificate in this manner:

Very Rev. Albert Dello Russo, JCL

Chancellor of the Diocese of Palm Beach

P.O. Box 109650

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410-9650

(561) 775-9500

Rev. Alex Vargas

Pastor

10935 South Military Trail

Boynton Beach Fl, 33436

LOCAL DIOCESAN CLERGY

For Any local Diocesan or Religious priest who desire to concelebrate or celebrate a Mass in Saint Thomas More Church a courtesy call and if necessary a letter to Pastor Alex Vargas is appreciate it and essential.

A: The body is enclosed in an acceptable rigid container or casket and is placed in the cremation chamber. Through heat and evaporation, the body is reduced to its basic elements which are referred to as cremated remains. The cremated remains are placed in a permanent container or urn. An urn serves the same purpose after cremation that a casket does with burial. A final resting place may then be selected for the urn

A: All the usual rites which are celebrated with the body present may also be celebrated in the presence of the cremated remains. The rituals that may be celebrated are: prayers after death, gathering in the presence of the body, vigil for the deceased, Funeral Mass, Funeral Liturgy outside of Mass, and the Rite of Committal. During the liturgies, the cremated remains are treated with the same dignity and respect traditionally afforded the full body in a casket.

Losing someone is never easy, especially as you face this alone. Visit in person St. Thomas More Church, where we will listen to your voice and offer words of comfort. Our beautiful church provides an open channel of communication between you, our dedicated staff, and God.
Registered parishioners can set up a meeting with our Parish Counselor after the funeral is over. Meetings can be scheduled by either calling or visiting the Parish Office. Our counselors will give you further support during this difficult time.

Call or Visit the Parish Office and fill out a Funeral Request Form. Review Funeral Prices and select the options that best fit you.
Since our church calendar is full with two priests on campus. The Church will get back to you in 1 - 2 business days to confirm dates and services.
After date confirmations, please ensure to fill out the Funeral Liturgy Form. This form will let you select specific readings and songs to be presented in the Funeral.

Notify friends and family members about the Funeral and ensure that they will attend. This information is important to make sure seating arrangements are sufficient.
If you have any more requests or updates for music or readings please contact the Parish Office and advise them of any changes. No secular music is allowed in the church.
If you selected our Flower & Decoration service, please ensure orders are sent to St. Thomas More Church 1 day before the funeral. You are responsible for ordering the flowers and delivering them to the church.
If your selected the Media Package, please advise our Parish Office if you would not like to have the Funeral live-streamed online.
Make sure everyone is informed on routes to the cemetery and has reliable transportation.
Inform your friends and family of the protocols of a Catholic Funeral. Here are a few. No cellphones during the Ceremony, if you are no a practicing catholic you will not take part during the distribution of Communion. If you desire a blessing for yourself just make the

This is your opportunity to help us here at St. Thomas More Parish to prepare ourselves to serve you in this time of loss. The Catholic Mass is a very spiritual and mystical time when the life of your loved one is joined with the person of Jesus Christ. Our Faith teaches us that a baptized person has already died with Christ in Baptism and will rise with Him to share in eternal life. Many people live lives of the exemplary Christian faith. They worship, minister in their churches, volunteer in charitable activities, and carry out works of mercy towards neighbors and the poor. If this describes your loved ones, then share those particulars with us, and the clergy will try to incorporate them into his reflections at Mass.

We all have characters, virtues, examples of self-sacrifice, and kindnesses that are often known only to family and a few intimate friends. If your loved one was not an outwardly religious person, they were certainly spiritual and good human beings. Please share this with us and we will try to honor the life of your loved one during Mass. Please try to avoid lists of hobbies, favorite foods, and travels as these are for outside of the Church Service. But here in the Church, we desire to lift up to our Lord the character and faith of the person, their lives as spouses, parents, grandparents, and stalwart friends, as we appeal for mercy and peace.

We are praying for you as you compose this very important Life-Story. We encourage you to do this with your family as a lasting tribute and a way to express your own thoughts and feelings during this very difficult time.

The impact of losing someone is one of the hardest experiences people go through in life. It is why maintaining a close relationship with the church is important to relieve some of this pain. Attend masses and be a part of the community, all of this helps ensure a strong faith in God.
If you would like to honor the departed further, consult with our Parish Office about doing an engraving on one of our many beautiful gardens. In addition, you and attendees may purchase a recorded video of the Funeral, where it can be watched online.

A: The body is enclosed in an acceptable rigid container or casket and is placed in the cremation chamber. Through heat and evaporation, the body is reduced to its basic elements which are referred to as cremated remains. The cremated remains are placed in a permanent container or urn. An urn serves the same purpose after cremation that a casket does with burial. A final resting place may then be selected for the urn

A: All the usual rites which are celebrated with the body present may also be celebrated in the presence of the cremated remains. The rituals that may be celebrated are: prayers after death, gathering in the presence of the body, vigil for the deceased, Funeral Mass, Funeral Liturgy outside of Mass, and the Rite of Committal. During the liturgies, the cremated remains are treated with the same dignity and respect traditionally afforded the full body in a casket.

For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.

Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

Now will I praise those godly men and women, our ancestors, each in their own time: These were godly people whose virtues have not been forgotten; their wealth remains in their families, endures, their posterity, for their sake.

And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out; their bodies are peacefully laid away, but their name lives on and on.

At gatherings their wisdom is retold, and the assembly proclaims their praise.

Now will I praise those godly men and women, our ancestors, each in their own time: These were godly people whose virtues have not been forgotten; their wealth remains in their families, endures, their posterity, for their sake.

And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out; their bodies are peacefully laid away, but their name lives on and on.

At gatherings their wisdom is retold, and the assembly proclaims their praise.

Brothers and sisters:

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet.

For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about:

Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Therefore, console one another with these words.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. So [also] husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I, Daniel, mourned and I heard this word of the Lord:

"At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.

But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever."

I, Daniel, mourned and I heard this word of the Lord:

"At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.

But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever."

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.

For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.

But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.

From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. Try to join me soon.

Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

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 reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.

On that day it will be said:

"Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"

None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God."

So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God.

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 reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.

On that day it will be said:

"Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins. A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!

Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; The rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all mankind shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

A voice says, "Cry out!" I answer, "What shall I cry out?" "All mankind is grass, and all their glory like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it. So then, the people is the grass. Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever."

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins. A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!

Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; The rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all mankind shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

A voice says, "Cry out!" I answer, "What shall I cry out?" "All mankind is grass, and all their glory like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it. So then, the people is the grass. Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever."

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.

As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and His care is with His elect.

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.

As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and His care is with His elect.

Judas, the ruler of Israel, then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice.

In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death.

But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.

Judas, the ruler of Israel, then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice.

In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death.

But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.

Then Job answered and said: Oh, would that my words were written down! Would that they were inscribed in a record: that with an iron chisel and with an iron chisel and with lead they were cut in rock forever! But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust; whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him, and from my flesh I shall see God; my inmost being is consumed with longing.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Truly, God is my salvation, I trust,

I shall not fear, for the Lord is my strength,

my song, he became my Savior.

With joy you will draw water from the wells

of salvaton, Give thanks to the Lord,

give praise to his name!

Make his mighty deeds known to

the peoples! Declare the greatness of his

name! Sing a psalm to the Lord, for he has

done glorious deeds, make them known to

all the earth! People of Zion, sing and

shout for joy for great in your midst is the

Holy One of Israel.

But the righteous man, even if he dies prematurely, will be at rest. For the honor that comes with age is not due to the length of life or determined by the number of years. Gray hairs for anyone consists in understanding, and ripe old age consists in a blameless life. He has sought to please God, so God has loved him; while living among sinners, he has been taken up. He has been snatched away so that evil would not pervert his understanding or guile deceive his soul. For the spell of wickedness beclouds what is good, and the swirl of desire corrupts the simple heart. Having achieved perfection in a short time, he attained a lengthy span of years. Since his soul was pleasing to the Lord, he quickly removed him from the midst of wickedness. People observed this yet failed to comprehend, nor did they reflect on this fact, that grace and mercy are reserved for God’s holy ones and he shows concern for his elect.

But the righteous man, even if he dies prematurely, will be at rest. For the honor that comes with age is not due to the length of life or determined by the number of years. Gray hairs for anyone consists in understanding, and ripe old age consists in a blameless life. He has sought to please God, so God has loved him; while living among sinners, he has been taken up. He has been snatched away so that evil would not pervert his understanding or guile deceive his soul. For the spell of wickedness beclouds what is good, and the swirl of desire corrupts the simple heart. Having achieved perfection in a short time, he attained a lengthy span of years. Since his soul was pleasing to the Lord, he quickly removed him from the midst of wickedness. People observed this yet failed to comprehend, nor did they reflect on this fact,

Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.

Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us. For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their “shame.” Their minds are occupied with earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.