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

Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary TimeWeekday

Sunday cycle B · Weekday cycle II

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

Mass during the Day

  1. First reading Sirach 47:2-11

    2As is the fat when it is separated from the peace offering, so was David separated from the children of Israel. 3He played with lions as with kids, and with bears as with lambs of the flock. 4In his youth didn’t he kill a giant, and take away reproach from the people when he lifted up his hand with a sling stone, and beat down the boasting Goliath? 5For he called upon the Most High Lord, and he gave him strength in his right hand to kill a man mighty in war, to exalt the horn of his people. 6So they glorified him for his tens of thousands, and praised him for the blessings of the Lord, in that a glorious diadem was given to him. 7For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and defeated the Philistines his adversaries. He broke their horn in pieces to this day. 8In every work of his he gave thanks to the Holy One Most High with words of glory. He sang praise with his whole heart, and loved him who made him. 9He set singers before the altar, to make sweet melody by their music. 10He gave beauty to the feasts, and set in order the seasons to completion while they praised his holy name, and the sanctuary resounded from early morning. 11The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn forever. He gave him a covenant of kings, and a glorious throne in Israel.

    WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context: Sirach 47:2-11

  2. Responsorial Psalm Psalms 18:31, 47, 50, 51

    30As for God, his way is perfect. The LORD’s word is tried. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him. 46The LORD lives! Blessed be my rock. Exalted be the God of my salvation, 49Therefore I will give thanks to you, LORD, among the nations, and will sing praises to your name. 50He gives great deliverance to his king, and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his offspring, forever more.

    WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context: Psalms 18:31, 47, 50, 51

  3. Gospel acclamation Luke 8:15

  4. Gospel Mark 6:14-29

    14King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” 15But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.” 16But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.” 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: Mark 6:14-29

Proper readings of the memorial (optional)

Show readings
  1. First reading Tobit 12:6-13

    6Then he called them both privately, and said to them, “Bless God, and give him thanks, and magnify him, and give him thanks in the sight of all that live, for the things which he has done with you. It is good to bless God and exalt his name, showing forth with honor the works of God. Don’t be slack to give him thanks. 7It is good to conceal the secret of a king, but to reveal gloriously the works of God. Do good, and evil won’t find you. 8Good is prayer with fasting, alms, and righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than much with unrighteousness. It is better to give alms than to lay up gold. 9Alms delivers from death, and it purges away all sin. Those who give alms and do righteousness will be filled with life; 10but those who sin are enemies to their own life. 11Surely I will conceal nothing from you. I have said, ‘It is good to conceal the secret of a king, but to reveal gloriously the works of God.’ 12And now, when you prayed, and Sarah your daughter-in-law, I brought the memorial of your prayer before the Holy One. When you buried the dead, I was with you likewise. 13And when you didn’t delay to rise up, and leave your dinner, that you might go and cover the dead, your good deed was not hidden from me. I was with you.

    WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context: Tobit 12:6-13

  2. Responsorial Psalm Psalms 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11

    1By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth. 2My soul shall boast in the LORD. The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3Oh magnify the LORD with me. Let’s exalt his name together. 4I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame. 6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7The LORD’s angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8Oh taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 9Oh fear the LORD, you his saints, for there is no lack with those who fear him. 10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

    WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context: Psalms 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11

  3. Gospel acclamation Matthew 5:3

  4. Gospel Mark 10:17-30

    17As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. 19You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’” 20He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.” 21Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.” 22But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. 23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!” 24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! 25It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.” 26They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.” 28Peter began to tell him, “Behold, we have left all and have followed you.” 29Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, 30but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life.

    Or: Mark 10:17-27

    WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context: Mark 10:17-30

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.