A Catholic guide for saints, prayer, and practical devotional reading.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Ordinary Time. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.
The Roman Catholic readings for this date are shown below on-site. Use plain reading mode if you want clearer modern wording, or switch back to the original Douay-Rheims wording at any time.
On-site scripture text: Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition. Plain mode is a built-in reading aid that modernizes older wording for easier understanding while keeping the same Roman Catholic reading references for the day.
Numbers 21:4b-9
Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.
Full on-site text is not available for this reference yet, so use the reference above and the official link below.
Psalm 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38
The psalm is meant to be prayed, not rushed. If the wording feels older, focus on the main movement of the prayer: trust, praise, sorrow, gratitude, or hope.
34When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned, and came to him early in the morning.
35And they remembered that God was their helper: and the most high God their redeemer.
36And they loved him with their mouth: and with their tongue they lied to him:
37But their heart was not right with him: nor were they counted faithful in his covenant.
38But he is merciful, and will forgive their sins: and will not destroy them. And many a time did he turn away his anger: and did not kindle all his wrath.
Philippians 2:6-11
This reading often teaches Christians how to live with steadiness, charity, and faith. Look for one clear encouragement or warning you can carry into the day.
6Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man.
8He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even to the death of the cross.
9For which cause God also has exalted him, and has given him a name which is above all names:
10That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:
11And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.
John 3:13-17
The Gospel is the center of the reading set. Pay close attention to what Jesus says, what Jesus does, and what response he is asking for.
13And no man has ascended into heaven, but he that descended from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up:
15That whoever believes in him, may not perish; but may have life eternal.
16For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whoever believes in him, may not perish, but may have life eternal.
17For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by him.
This page uses the Catholic Readings API for the day's references and liturgical celebration data, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from the public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible distributed through the Open Bibles project.