Daily readings

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Thursday of the 5th week of Lent. Lent. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationThursday of the 5th 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.

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Reading mode

Plain mode helps modern readers follow the text more easily.

The on-site reading text is drawn from public-domain Douay-Rheims sources. 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.

What are the Mass readings for Thursday March 26, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Thursday March 26, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Genesis 17:3-9, psalm Psalm 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel John 8:51-59.

What is the Gospel for Thursday March 26, 2026?

The Gospel for Thursday March 26, 2026 is John 8:51-59. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Thursday March 26, 2026?

The psalm for Thursday March 26, 2026 is Psalm 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9. It is included below in the same reading order used at Mass, between the first reading and the Gospel.

Are these the USCCB daily readings for Thursday March 26, 2026?

The same day's Catholic readings are gathered here on-site, with the official readings link available below in the source note.

First Reading

Genesis 17:3-9

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.

17:3Abram tell flat on his face.

4And God said to him: I AM, and my covenant is with you, and you shall be a father. of many nations.

5Neither shall your name be called any more Abram: but you shall be called Abraham: because I have made you a father of many nations.

6And I will make you increase, exceedingly, and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come out of you.

7And I will establish my covenant between me and you, and between your sad after you in their generations, by a perpetual covenant: to be a God to you, and to your offspring after you.

8And I will give to you, and to your offspring, the land of your sojournment, all the land of Chanaan for a perpetual possession, and I will be their God.

9Again God said to Abraham: And you therefore shall keep my covenant, and your offspring after you in their generations.

Psalm

Psalm 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

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.

105:4Seek you the Lord, and be strengthened: seek his face evermore.

5Remember his marvellous works which he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.

6O you offspring of Abraham his servant; you sons of Jacob his chosen.

7He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.

8He has remembered his covenant forever: the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

9Which he made to Abraham; and his oath to Isaac:

Gospel

John 8:51-59

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.

8:51Truly, truly I say to you: If any man keep my word, he shall not see death forever.

52The Jews therefore said: Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and you sayest: If any man keep my word, he shall not taste death forever.

53Art you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead. Whom do you make yourself?

54Jesus answered: If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father that glorifieth me, of whom you say that he is your God.

55And you have not known him, but I know him. And if I shall say that I know him not, I shall be like to you, a liar. But I do know him, and do keep his word.

56Abraham your father rejoiced that he might see my day: he saw it, and was glad.

57The Jews therefore said to him: You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?

58Jesus said to them: Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was made, I am.

59They took up stones therefore to cast at him. But Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.

How the readings move through Mass today

The Liturgy of the Word normally moves from the first reading to the psalm, then to the second reading when one is appointed, then to the Gospel, and then into the homily. On weekday Masses, the second reading is often omitted, so the Church moves from the psalm directly to the Gospel.

First Reading

Genesis 17:3-9

The first reading is usually taken from the Old Testament. It prepares the heart to hear how God has been acting through his covenant and promises.

Psalm

Psalm 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

The psalm is the Church’s prayerful response to the first reading. It helps the congregation answer God’s word with trust, praise, repentance, or hope.

Second Reading

Usually omitted today

There is no second reading at many weekday Masses. On days like this, the liturgy moves from the psalm directly to the Gospel.

Gospel

John 8:51-59

The Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. Catholics stand because Christ himself speaks to his people in a special way through the Gospel proclamation.

Homily

After the Gospel

The homily follows the Gospel. It should gather the day’s readings together, explain the mystery being celebrated, and help people carry the word of God into ordinary life.

What the homily usually draws together

A Catholic homily usually gathers the first reading, the psalm, and the Gospel into one spiritual movement. It may explain how the Old Testament prepares for Christ, how the apostles witness to the risen Lord, how the psalm teaches the Church to pray, and how the Gospel calls for faith and conversion now.

If you are preparing before Mass, try to carry one sentence, one image, or one invitation from the readings with you. That usually makes the homily easier to follow because you already know what part of God's word has stayed with you.

What about the Prayers of the Faithful for Thursday March 26, 2026?

The Prayers of the Faithful are usually written locally by a parish, diocese, or celebrant, so there is not always one universal text for this exact day. The scriptural readings above are the stable part the whole Church receives, and they usually shape the petitions that follow at Mass.

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Source note

The day's references and liturgical celebration data come from the Catholic Readings API, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from public-domain Douay-Rheims sources so the day's readings can be read directly on the page.