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Readings of the day

The Passion of Saint John the BaptistMemorial

Sunday cycle A · Weekday cycle I

Texts from World English Bible (Catholic) (WEB-C); the official lectionary translation in your country may differ.

Mass during the Day

  1. First reading 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

    1For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you wasn’t in vain, 2but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict. 3For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception. 4But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak—not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts. 5For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness), 6nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ. 7But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.

    WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context

  2. Responsorial Psalm Psalms 139:1-3, 4-6

    1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. LORD, you have searched me, and you know me. 2You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar. 3You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. 4For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, LORD, you know it altogether. 5You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me. 6This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it.

    WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context

  3. Gospel acclamation Hebrews 4:12

  4. Gospel Matthew 23:23-26

    23“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone. 24You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel! 25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness. 26You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also.

    WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context

Proper readings of the memorial (optional)

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  1. First reading Jeremiah 1:17-19

    17“You therefore put your belt on your waist, arise, and say to them all that I command you. Don’t be dismayed at them, lest I dismay you before them. 18For behold, I have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land. 19They will fight against you, but they will not prevail against you; for I am with you”, says the LORD, “to rescue you.”

    WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context

  2. Responsorial Psalm Psalms 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab, 17

    1In you, LORD, I take refuge. Never let me be disappointed. 2Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me. Turn your ear to me, and save me. 3Be to me a rock of refuge to which I may always go. Give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. 5For you are my hope, Lord GOD, my confidence from my youth. 6I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb. I will always praise you. 15My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don’t know its full measure. 17God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.

    Some verses are read only in part; the whole verse is shown.

    WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context

  3. Gospel acclamation Matthew 5:10

  4. Gospel Mark 6:17-29

    17For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. 18For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19Herodias set herself against him and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, 20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly. 21Then a convenient day came when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23He swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.” 25She came in immediately with haste to the king and requested, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.” 26The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her. 27Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard and commanded to bring John’s head; and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother. 29When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

    WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context

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General Roman Calendar. National calendars (for example Epiphany or Ascension on a Sunday) may have other readings.

References: Ordo Lectionum Missae, editio typica altera (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1981). The psalm response is not shown.