
Readings of the day
Saint Polycarp, Bishop and MartyrMemorial
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
First reading James 3:1-10
1Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. 2For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also. 3Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. 4Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. 5So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! 6And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna. 7For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind; 8but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God. 10Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context: James 3:1-10
Responsorial Psalm Psalms 12:2-3, 4-5, 7-8
1For the Chief Musician; upon an eight-stringed lyre. A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men. 2Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart. 3May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts, 4who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?” 6The LORD’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times. 7You will keep them, LORD. You will preserve them from this generation forever.WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context: Psalms 12:2-3, 4-5, 7-8
Gospel acclamation Mark 9:6
Gospel Mark 9:2-13
2After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them. 3His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus. 5Peter answered Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6For he didn’t know what to say, for they were very afraid. 7A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” 8Suddenly looking around, they saw no one with them any more, except Jesus only. 9As they were coming down from the mountain, he commanded them that they should tell no one what things they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10They kept this saying to themselves, questioning what the “rising from the dead” meant. 11They asked him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 12He said to them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and restores all things. How is it written about the Son of Man, that he should suffer many things and be despised? 13But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they have also done to him whatever they wanted to, even as it is written about him.”WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context: Mark 9:2-13
Proper readings of the memorial (optional)
Show readings
First reading Revelation 2:8-11
8“To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: “The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things: 9“I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death.WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context: Revelation 2:8-11
Responsorial Psalm Psalms 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17
2Bow down your ear to me. Deliver me speedily. Be to me a strong rock, a house of defense to save me. 3For you are my rock and my fortress, therefore for your name’s sake lead me and guide me. 5Into your hand I commend my spirit. You redeem me, LORD, God of truth. 7I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities. 15My times are in your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me. 16Make your face to shine on your servant. Save me in your loving kindness.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: Psalms 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17
Gospel John 15:18-21
18If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21But they will do all these things to you for my name’s sake, because they don’t know him who sent me.WEB-C · World English Bible (Catholic). Public Domain. Source: eBible.org. Read in context: John 15:18-21
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.