Daily readings

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Thursday of the 3rd week of Ordinary Time. Ordinary Time. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

CelebrationThursday of the 3rd week of Ordinary Time

TypeWeekday

SeasonOrdinary Time

Year2026 archive

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.

Reading mode

Plain mode helps modern readers follow the text more easily.

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.

1

First Reading

2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29

How to approach it

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.

18And David went in, and sat before the Lord, and said: Who am I, OH Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?

19But yet this has seemed little in your sight, OH Lord God, unless you did also speak of the house of your servant for a long time to come: for this is the law of Adam, OH Lord God.

24For you have confirmed to yourself your people Israel to be an eternal people: and you, OH Lord God, art become their God.

25And now, OH Lord God, raise up forever the word that you have said, concerning your servant and concerning his house: and do as you have said,

26That your name may be magnified forever, and it may be said: The Lord of hosts is God over Israel. And the house of your servant David shall be established before the Lord.

27Because you, OH Lord of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed to the ear of your servant, saying: I will build you a house: therefore has your servant found in his heart to pray this prayer to you.

28And now, OH Lord God, you art God, and your words shall be true: for you have said to your servant these good things.

29And now begin, and bless the house of your servant, that it may endure forever before you: because you, OH Lord God, have said it, and with your blessing let the house of your servant be blessed forever.

2

Psalm

Psalm 132:1-2, 3-5, 11, 12, 13-14

How to pray it

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.

1Lord, my heart is not exalted: nor are my eyes lofty. Neither have I walked in great matters, nor in wonderful things above me.

2If I was not humbly minded, but exalted my soul: As a child that is weaned is towards his mother, so reward in my soul.

3Let Israel hope in the Lord, from now on now and forever.

3

Gospel

Mark 4:21-25

What to watch for

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.

21And he said to them: Does a candle come in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

22For there is nothing hid, which shall not be made clear: neither was it made secret, but that it may come abroad.

23If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

24And he said to them: Take heed what you hear. In what measure you shall mete, it shall be measured to you again, and more shall be given to you.

25For the one who has, to him shall be given: and the one who has not, that also which he has shall be taken away from him.

Source note

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.