SECOND READING
(St Paul, a prisoner in Rome, reviews his life and feels that his death is imminent. He has full confidence in God, the just Judge, who will give him his eternal reward.)
A reading from the Second Letter of St Paul to Timothy (4:6-8,16-18)
I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come, I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
At my first defence no one took my part; all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the word fully, that all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
This is the Word of the Lord.
