Daily readings

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Tuesday of Holy Week. Holy Week. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationTuesday of Holy Week

TypeHoly Week

SeasonHoly Week

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.

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 Tuesday March 31, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Tuesday March 31, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Isaiah 49:1-6, psalm Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel John 13:21-33, 36-38.

What is the Gospel for Tuesday March 31, 2026?

The Gospel for Tuesday March 31, 2026 is John 13:21-33, 36-38. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Tuesday March 31, 2026?

The psalm for Tuesday March 31, 2026 is Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17. 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 Tuesday March 31, 2026?

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

1

First Reading

Isaiah 49:1-6

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.

49:1Give ear, you islands, and hearken, you people from afar. The Lord has called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother he has been mindful of my name.

2And he has made my mouth like a sharp sword: in the shadow of his hand he has protected me, and has made me as a chosen arrow: in his quiver he has hidden me.

3And he said to me: You are my servant Israel, for in you will I glory.

4And I said: I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength without cause and in vain: therefore my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.

5And now says the Lord, that formed me from the womb to be his servant, that I may bring back Jacob to him, and Israel will not be gathered together: and I am glorified in the eyes of the Lord, and my God is made my strength.

6And he said: It is a small thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to convert the dregs of Israel. Look, I have given you to be the light of the Gentiles, that you mayst be my salvation even to the farthest part of the earth.

2

Psalm

Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17

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.

71:1A psalm for David. Of the sons of Jonadab, and the former captives. In you, O Lord, I have hoped, let me never be put to confusion:

2deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me. Incline your ear to me, and save me.

3Be for me a God, a protector, and a place of strength: that you mayst make me safe. For you are my firmament and my refuge.

4Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the sinner, and out of the hand of the transgressor of the law and of the unjust.

5For you are my patience, O Lord: my hope, O Lord, from my youth;

6By you have I been confirmed from the womb: from my mother's womb you are my protector. Of you shall I continually sing:

15My mouth shall show forth your righteousness; your salvation all the day long. Because I have not knows learning,

17You have taught me, O God, from my youth: and till now I will declare your wonderful works.

3

Gospel

John 13:21-33, 36-38

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.

13:21When Jesus had said these things, he was troubled in spirit; and he testified, and said: Truly, truly I say to you, one of you shall betray me.

22The disciples therefore looked one upon another, doubting of whom he spoke.

23Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him: Who is it of whom he speaketh?

25He therefore, leaning on the breast of Jesus, says to him: Lord, who is it?

26Jesus answered: He it is to whom I shall reach bread dipped. And when he had dipped the bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

27And after the morsel, Satan entered into him. And Jesus said to him: That which you do, do quickly.

28Now no man at the table knew to what purpose he said this to him.

29For some thought, because Judas had the purse, that Jesus had said to him: Buy those things which we have need of for the festival day: or that he should give something to the poor.

30He therefore having received the morsel, went out immediately. And it was night.

31When he therefore was gone out, Jesus said: Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

32If God be glorified in him, God also will glorify him in himself; and immediately will he glorify him.

33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek me; and as I said to the Jews: Whither I go you cannot come; so I say to you now.

36Simon Peter says to him: Lord, whither go you? Jesus answered: Whither I go, you canst not follow me now; but you shall follow hereafter.

37Peter says to him: Why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.

38Jesus answered him: Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly I say to you, the cock shall not crow, till you deny me thrice.

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.

1

First Reading

Isaiah 49:1-6

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.

2

Psalm

Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17

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.

3

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.

4

Gospel

John 13:21-33, 36-38

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.

5

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 Tuesday March 31, 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.

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.