Daily readings

Friday, August 7, 2026

Saint Sixtus II, Pope, and Companions, Martyrs/Saint Cajetan, Priest. Ordinary Time. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

6The gates of the rivers are opened, and the temple is thrown down to the ground.

7And the soldier is led away captive: and her bondwomen were led away mourning as doves, murmuring in their hearts.

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.

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.

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.

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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.