OLD TESTAMENT (Second Reading)

A Reading from the Second Book of Maccabees

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 in mind; 

     for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, 

     it would have been superfluous 

     and foolish to pray for the dead. 

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 absolved from their sin.

The Word of the Lord