January 25, 2026 – Daily Readings

January 24, 2026 – Daily Readings

Listen, today’s readings take us deep into the heart of love that mourns and the strange way of Christ: David grieves a fallen friend and king with raw sorrow, the Psalm cries out for God’s saving face amidst tears and conflict, the Alleluia calls us to open our hearts to Christ’s word, and in the Gospel Jesus is so close to the crowds that his own think he’s lost his mind. In this **Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church**, we’re reminded that love is patient with grief, faithful in prayer, and rooted in the wisdom of Christ’s way, even when it seems surprising to the world. Today isn’t about neat answers: it’s about the depth of compassion that refuses to shy away from pain while trusting in the Lord’s presence. As we walk through these texts, we meet a God who weeps with us and a Savior whose closeness changes how we understand love and life. Let that shape your prayer today with trust and honest heart. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Reading I

2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27

After the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag; and on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul’s camp, with his clothes rent and earth upon his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and did obeisance. David said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” … Then David took hold of his clothes, and rent them; and so did all the men who were with him; and they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. “Thy glory, O Israel, is slain upon thy high places! How are the mighty fallen! Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you daintily in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel. How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan lies slain upon thy high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 80:2-3, 5-7

R. (4b) Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved. O shepherd of Israel, hearken, O guide of the flock of Joseph! From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Rouse your power, and come to save us. R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved. O LORD of hosts, how long will you burn with anger while your people pray? You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in ample measure. You have made us a laughingstock to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us. R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.

Alleluia

Acts 16:14b

R. Alleluia, alleluia. Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son. R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mark 3:20-21

Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Daily Readings

January 23, 2026 – Daily Readings

Listen, today’s readings are all about mercy that refuses to give up on God’s plan. In the first reading, David has Saul in his power but holds back because he knows Saul is God’s anointed, choosing mercy over revenge and trusting God to judge rightly. The Psalm echoes this deep trust, calling out for God’s mercy and sheltering confidence even in danger. Then the Alleluia reminds us that Christ is reconciling the whole world to the Father and entrusting us with that message. In the Gospel, Jesus calls the Twelve and sends them out with authority, showing that mercy and mission go hand in hand: followers aren’t just chosen to be near Jesus but to carry his reconciling love to others. Today’s Word invites us to step into that same mercy, to trust God’s justice and join Jesus in bringing peace and healing to our world.

Reading I

1 Samuel 24:3-21

Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction of the wild goat crags. When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave, which he entered to relieve himself. David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave. David’s servants said to him, “This is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘I will deliver your enemy into your grasp; do with him as you see fit.'” So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul’s mantle. Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off an end of Saul’s mantle. He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, as to lay a hand on him, for he is the LORD’s anointed.” With these words David restrained his men and would not permit them to attack Saul. Saul then left the cave and went on his way. David also stepped out of the cave, calling to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked back, David bowed to the ground in homage and asked Saul: “Why do you listen to those who say, ‘David is trying to harm you’? You see for yourself today that the LORD just now delivered you into my grasp in the cave. I had some thought of killing you, but I took pity on you instead. I decided, ‘I will not raise a hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed and a father to me.’ Look here at this end of your mantle which I hold. Since I cut off an end of your mantle and did not kill you, see and be convinced that I plan no harm and no rebellion. I have done you no wrong, though you are hunting me down to take my life. The LORD will judge between me and you, and the LORD will exact justice from you in my case. I shall not touch you. The old proverb says, ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness.’ So I will take no action against you. Against whom are you on campaign, O king of Israel? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, or a single flea! The LORD will be the judge; he will decide between me and you. May he see this, and take my part, and grant me justice beyond your reach!” When David finished saying these things to Saul, Saul answered,

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 57:2-3, 9-10a, 10b-11

R. (2a) Have mercy on me, God, have mercy. Have mercy on me, O God; have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. In the shadow of your wings I take refuge, till harm pass by. R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy. My wanderings you have counted; my tears are stored in your flask; are they not recorded in your book? Then do my enemies turn back, when I call upon you. R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy. I lie in the midst of lions that greedily devour human prey; their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongue a sharp sword. R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let your glory be over all the earth. R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.

Alleluia

2 Corinthians 5:19

R. Alleluia, alleluia. God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mark 3:13-19

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

Daily Readings

January 22, 2026 – Daily Readings

Listen, today’s readings are intense in the best way. We’re watching innocence threatened and God’s protection show up loud and clear. David hasn’t done anything wrong, yet jealousy puts his life at risk, and Jonathan steps in to defend innocent blood with courage and truth. That theme keeps building as the Psalm reminds us that God sees every tear, every step, and nothing escapes His care. Then the Gospel takes it even further as crowds rush toward Jesus because life, healing, and freedom from evil are flowing straight from Him. What’s powerful here is that Jesus doesn’t just protect life, He restores it, even while darkness tries to silence who He is. Today’s Scripture tells one clear story: God defends the innocent, stays close to the vulnerable, and His presence changes everything. This is faith under pressure, trust in action, and life being guarded by God Himself.

Reading I

1 Samuel 18:6-9; 19:1-7

When David and Saul approached (on David’s return after slaying the Philistine), women came out from each of the cities of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and sistrums. The women played and sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought: “They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me. All that remains for him is the kingship.” And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David. Saul discussed his intention of killing David with his son Jonathan and with all his servants. But Saul’s son Jonathan, who was very fond of David, told him: “My father Saul is trying to kill you. Therefore, please be on your guard tomorrow morning; get out of sight and remain in hiding. I, however, will go out and stand beside my father in the countryside where you are, and will speak to him about you. If I learn anything, I will let you know.” Jonathan then spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him: “Let not your majesty sin against his servant David, for he has committed no offense against you, but has helped you very much by his deeds. When he took his life in his hands and slew the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great victory for all Israel through him, you were glad to see it. Why, then, should you become guilty of shedding innocent blood by killing David without cause?” Saul heeded Jonathan’s plea and swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed.” So Jonathan summoned David and repeated the whole conversation to him. Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and David served him as before.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 56:2-3, 9-10a, 10b-11, 12-13

R. (5b) In God I trust; I shall not fear. Have mercy on me, O God, for men trample upon me; all the day they press their attack against me. My adversaries trample upon me all the day; yes, many fight against me. R. In God I trust; I shall not fear. My wanderings you have counted; my tears are stored in your flask; are they not recorded in your book? Then do my enemies turn back, when I call upon you. R. In God I trust; I shall not fear. Now I know that God is with me. In God, in whose promise I glory, in God I trust without fear; what can flesh do against me? R. In God I trust; I shall not fear. I am bound, O God, by vows to you; your thank offerings I will fulfill. For you have rescued me from death, my feet, too, from stumbling; that I may walk before God in the light of the living. R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.

Alleluia

2 Timothy 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia. Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel. R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mark 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known.