Daily readings

Friday, March 20, 2026

Friday of the 4th week of Lent. Lent. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

CelebrationFriday of the 4th week of Lent

TypeWeekday

SeasonLent

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

Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22

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.

12You have left the fountain of wisdom$1

13For if you had walked in the way of God, you had surely dwelt in peace forever.

14Learn where is wisdom, where is strength, where is understanding: that you mayst know also where is length of days and life, where is the light of the eyes, and peace.

15Who has found out her place? and who has gone in to her treasures?

16Where are the leaders of the nations, and those who rule over the beasts that are upon the earth?

17That take their diversion with the birds of the air.

18That hoard up silver and gold, in which men trust, and there is no end of their getting? who work in silver and are solicitous, and their works are unsearchable.

19They are cut off, and are gone down to hell, and others are risen up in their place.

20Young men have seen the light, and dwelt upon the earth: but the way of knowledge they have not known,

21Nor have they understood the paths thereof, neither have their children received it, it is far from their face.

22It has not been heard of in the land of Chanaan, neither has it been seen in Theman.

2

Psalm

Psalm 34:17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23

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.

17But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil things: to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

18The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them: and rescued them out of all their troubles.

19The Lord is nigh to them that are of a sorry heart: and he will save the humble of spirit.

20Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but out of them all will the Lord deliver them.

3

Gospel

John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

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.

1After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for he would not walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him.

2Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.

10But after his brothers and sisters were gone up, then he also went up to the feast, not openly, but, as it were, in secret.

25Some therefore of Jerusalem said: Is not this he whom they seek to kill?

26And look, he speaketh openly, and they say nothing to him. Have the rulers known for a truth, that this is the Christ?

27But we know this man, whence he is: but when the Christ comes, no man knows whence he is.

28Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching, and saying: You both know me, and you know whence I am: and I am not come of myself; but he that sent me, is true, whom you know not.

29I know him, because I am from him, and he has sent me.

30They sought therefore to apprehend him: and no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

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.