Daily readings

Friday, August 7, 2026

Saint Sixtus II, Pope, and Companions, Martyrs/Saint Cajetan, Priest. Ordinary Time. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint Sixtus II, Pope, and Companions, Martyrs/Saint Cajetan, Priest

TypeOptional Memorial

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.

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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 Friday August 7, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Friday August 7, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7, psalm Deuteronomy 32:35cd-36ab, 39abcd, 41, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 16:24-28.

What is the Gospel for Friday August 7, 2026?

The Gospel for Friday August 7, 2026 is Matthew 16:24-28. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Friday August 7, 2026?

The psalm for Friday August 7, 2026 is Deuteronomy 32:35cd-36ab, 39abcd, 41. 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 Friday August 7, 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

Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7

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.

2:1He is come up that shall destroy before your face, that shall keep the siege: watch the way, fortify your loins, strengthen your power exceedingly.

3The shield of his mighty men is like fire, the men of the army are clad in scarlet, the reins of the chariot are flaming in the day of his preparation, and the drivers are stupefied.

3:1Sorrow to you, O city of blood, all full of lies and violence: rapine shall not depart from you.

2The noise of the whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the neighing horse, and of the running chariot, and of the horsemen coming up,

3And of the shining sword, and of the glittering spear, and of a crowd killed, and of a heavy destruction: and there is no end of carcasses, and they shall fall down on their dead bodies.

6And I will cast abominations upon you, and will disgrace you, and will make an example of you.

7And it shall come to pass that every one that shall see you, shall flee from you, and shall say: Ninive is laid waste: who shall bemoan you? whence shall I seek a comforter for you?

Psalm

Deuteronomy 32:35cd-36ab, 39abcd, 41

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.

32:35Revenge is mine, and I will repay them in due time, that their foot may slide: the day of destruction is at hand, and the time makes haste to come.

36The Lord will judge his people, and will have mercy on his servants$1 he shall see that their hand is weakened, and that they who were shut up have also failed, and those who remained are destroyed.

39See you that I alone am, and there is no other God besides me: I will kill and I will make to live: I will strike, and I will heal, and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.

41If I shall whet my sword as the lightning, and my hand take hold on judgment: I will render vengeance to my enemies, and repay them that hate me.

Gospel

Matthew 16:24-28

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.

16:24Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and the one who will lose his life for my sake, shall find it.

26For what does it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul?

27For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works.

28Amen I say to you, there are some of them that stand here, that shall not taste death, till they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.

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

Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7

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

Deuteronomy 32:35cd-36ab, 39abcd, 41

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

Matthew 16:24-28

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 Friday August 7, 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.