2 Maccabees 12:43-46

OLD TESTAMENT READING (First Reading)

A reading from the second Book of Maccabees

Judas, the ruler of Israel, 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 of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. 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 freed from this sin.

The word of the Lord.

In this section

2 Maccabees 12:43-46

Job 19:1, 23-27a

Wisdom 3:1-9 (long version)

Wisdom 3:1-6, 9 (short version)