First reading:
from the Book of Wisdom 3:1-6, 9
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 in the eyes of 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.
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.
The Word of the Lord.
Second reading:
Philippians 3:20-21
He will change our lowly bodies to confirm
to his glory.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to
the Philippian. Brothers and sisters:
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.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel reading:
Matthew 5:1-12a; a reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord.