Daily readings

Saturday, July 25, 2026

Saint James, Apostle. Ordinary Time. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

CelebrationSaint James, Apostle

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.

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 Corinthians 4:7-15

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.

7But we have this treasure in earthen containers, that the excellency may be of the power of God, and not of us.

8In all things we suffer trouble, but are not distressed; we are straitened, but are not destitute;

9We suffer persecution, but are not left; we are cast down, but we perish not:

10Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made clear in our bodies.

11For we who live are always gave to death for Jesus' sake; that the life also of Jesus may be made clear in our mortal flesh.

12So then death works in us, but life in you.

13But having the same spirit of faith, as it is written: I believed, for which cause I have said; we also believe, for which cause we speak also:

14Knowing that he who raised up Jesus, will raise us up also with Jesus, and place us with you.

15For all things are for your sakes; that the grace abounding through many, may abound in thanksgiving to the glory of God.

2

Psalm

Psalm 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6

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.

4Do good, OH Lord, to those that are good, and to the upright of heart.

5But such as turn aside into bonds, the Lord shall lead out with the workers of sin: peace upon Israel.

3

Gospel

Matthew 20:20-28

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.

20Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, adoring and asking something of him.

21Who said to her: What will you? She says to him: Say that these my two sons may sit, the one on your right hand, and the other on your left, in your kingdom.

22And Jesus answering, said: You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? They say to him: We can.

23He says to them: My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on my right or left hand, is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.

24And the ten hearing it, were moved with indignation against the two brothers and sisters.

25But Jesus called them to him, and said: You know that the leaders of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who are the greater, exercise power upon them.

26It shall not be so among you: but whoever will be the greater among you, let him be your minister:

27And he that will be first among you, shall be your servant.

28Even as the Son of Man is not come to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a rescue for many.

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.