BibleForSI
Menu
AI-generated illustration: an open Lectionary on a carved ambo before an altar with white linen, candles and a crucifix, morning light through stained glass. Classical sacred-art style.

Readings of the day

The Passion of Saint John the BaptistMemorial

Sunday cycle C · 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 4:1-8

    1Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, 4that each one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor, 5not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God, 6that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. 7For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. 8Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.

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

  2. Responsorial Psalm Psalms 97:1, 2b, 5-6, 10, 11-12

    1The LORD reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad! 2Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. 5The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 6The heavens declare his righteousness. All the peoples have seen his glory. 10You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of his saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. 11Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. 12Be glad in the LORD, you righteous people! Give thanks to his holy Name.

    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 Luke 21:36

  4. Gospel Matthew 25:1-13

    1“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, 4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’ 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise answered, saying, ‘What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut. 11Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ 12But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

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

Proper readings of the memorial (optional)

Show readings

  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

Add this day to calendar

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.