Daily readings

Saturday, August 29, 2026

The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, Martyr. Ordinary Time. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

CelebrationThe Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, Martyr

TypeMemorial

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

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

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.

26For see your vocation, brothers and sisters, that there are not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble:

27But the foolish things of the world has God chosen, that he may confound the wise; and the weak things of the world has God chosen, that he may confound the strong.

28And the base things of the world, and the things that are contemptible, has God chosen, and things that are not, that he might bring to nought things that are:

29That no flesh should glory in his sight.

30But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and rescue:

31That, as it is written: He that glorieth, may glory in the Lord.

2

Psalm

Psalm 33:12-13, 18-19, 20-21

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.

12Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: the people whom he has chosen for his gift.

13The Lord has looked from heaven: he has saw all the people.

18Look the eyes of the Lord are on them that fear him: and on them that hope in his mercy.

19To deliver their souls from death; and feed them in famine.

20Our soul waiteth for the Lord: for he is our helper and protector.

21For in him our heart shall rejoice: and in his holy name we have trusted.

3

Gospel

Mark 6:17-29

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.

17For Herod himself had sent and apprehended John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias the wife of Philip his brother, because he had married her.

18For John said to Herod: It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.

19Now Herodias laid snares for him: and was desirous to put him to death, and could not.

20For Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man: and kept him, and when he heard him, did many things: and he heard him willingly.

21And when a convenient day was come, Herod made a supper for his birthday, for the leaders, and tribunes, and chief men of Galilee.

22And when the daughter of the same Herodias had come in, and had danced, and pleased Herod, and them that were at table with him, the king said to the damsel: Ask of me what you will, and I will give it you.

23And he swore to her: Whatever you shall ask I will give you, though it be the half of my kingdom.

24Who when she was gone out, said to her mother, What shall I ask? But she said: The head of John the Baptist.

25And when she was come in immediately with haste to the king, she asked, saying: I will that forthwith you give me in a dish, the head of John the Baptist.

26And the king was struck sad. Yet because of his oath, and because of them that were with him at table, he would not displease her:

27But sending an executioner, he commanded that his head should be brought in a dish.

28And he beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a dish: and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother.

29Which his disciples hearing came, and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

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.