Daily readings

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Saint Mary Magdalene. Ordinary Time. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint Mary Magdalene

TypeFeast

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.

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 Wednesday July 22, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Wednesday July 22, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Song of Songs 3:1-4b, psalm Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel John 20:1-2, 11-18.

What is the Gospel for Wednesday July 22, 2026?

The Gospel for Wednesday July 22, 2026 is John 20:1-2, 11-18. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Wednesday July 22, 2026?

The psalm for Wednesday July 22, 2026 is Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 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 Wednesday July 22, 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

Song of Songs 3:1-4b

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.

3:1In my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves: I sought him, and found him not.

2I will rise, and will go about the city: in the streets and the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loves: I sought him, and I found him not.

3The watchmen who keep the city, found me: Have you seen him, whom my soul loves?

4When I had a little passed by them, I found him whom my soul loves: I held him: and I will not let him go, till I bring him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that bore me.

2

Psalm

Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 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.

63:2O God, my God, to you do I watch at break of day. For you my soul has thirsted; for you my flesh, O how many ways!

3In a desert land, and where there is no way, and no water: so in the sanctuary have I come before you, to see your power and your glory.

4For your mercy is better than lives: you my lips shall praise.

5Thus will I bless you all my life long: and in your name I will lift up my hands.

6Let my soul be satisfied as with marrow and fatness: and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips.

8because you have been my helper. And I will rejoice under the covert of your wings:

9my soul has stuck close to you: your right hand has received me.

3

Gospel

John 20:1-2, 11-18

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.

20:1And on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen comes early, when it was yet dark, to the tomb; and she saw the stone taken away from the tomb.

2She ran, therefore, and comes to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and says to them: They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him.

11But Mary stood at the tomb without, weeping. Now as she was weeping, she stooped down, and looked into the tomb,

12And she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid.

13They say to her: Woman, why weepest you? She says to them: Because they have taken away my Lord; and I know not where they have laid him.

14When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing; and she knew not that it was Jesus.

15Jesus says to her: Woman, why weepest you? whom seek you? She, thinking it was the gardener, says to him: Sir, if you have taken him from here, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.

16Jesus says to her: Mary. She turning, says to him: Rabboni (which is to say, Master).

17Jesus says to her: Do not touch me, for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brothers and sisters, and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God.

18Mary Magdalen comes, and telleth the disciples: I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me.

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

Song of Songs 3:1-4b

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 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 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.

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 20:1-2, 11-18

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 Wednesday July 22, 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.