Category Archives: Order of Christian Funerals

This brief passage presents a bit of Saint Paul’s backstory, his experience of trials and suffering, as well as his sense of accomplishment. Today’s Christian might find the athletic imagery appealing. I think this is why one of my pastors promoted … Continue reading →

Funerals of children, thank goodness, are rare. Don’t forget to turn the pages of the Order of Christian Funerals and find the selection of readings given for the tragedy of a young person’s death. There is one Gospel passage that … Continue reading →

It’s a Christmas reading, and if you attend Midnight Mass it should be familiar: Beloved: the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in … Continue reading →

At a wedding, when 1 Corinthians 13 is read, usually it’s the whole chapter. This second half of that larger reading seems appropriate for a reflection on the end of life and to what lies beyond human death. What does … Continue reading →

I know what a few of you are going to say. “But this is a wedding reading!” Will mourners sit up straight, cock their heads, and ask if nuptials broke out at a funeral? A reading like this will get … Continue reading →

I’m not sure which priest I worked for suggested this brief reading to his parishioners, but I thought it a succinct and appropriate selection for the occasion of a funeral. It seems to touch on three important points. But before … Continue reading →

The first reading for All Saints has a narrow intersection with one of the readings suggested for a funeral of a child (but not for an adult): verses 9 and 10. The commonality: I had a vision of a great … Continue reading →