LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of Wisdom Wis 3:1-9
He accepted them as a holocaust .
The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God , no torment shall ever touch them . In the eyes of the unwise , they did appear to die , their going looked like a disaster , their leaving us , like annihilation ; but they are in peace . If they experienced punishment as men see it , their hope was rich with immortality ; slight was their affliction , great will their blessings be . God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him ; he has tested them like gold in a furnace , and accepted them as a holocaust . When the time comes for his visitation , they will shine out ; as sparks run through the stubble , so will they . They shall judge nations , rule over peoples , and the Lord will be their king for ever . They who trust in him will understand the truth , those who are faithful will live with him in love ; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen .
Word of the Lord All :
Thanks be to God