A Reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and Sisters:

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.

The Word of the Lord