{"id":14642,"date":"2026-01-20T23:18:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T23:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/?page_id=14642"},"modified":"2026-01-26T14:46:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T14:46:58","slug":"april-26-sunday-readings","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/april-26-sunday-readings\/","title":{"rendered":"April 26 Sunday Readings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Scripture\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

April 2026 Sunday Readings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Scripture<\/strong> Readings for Sundays in April 2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Follow the Scripture readings for Sundays of the Year. Read and reflect on them as part of your daily prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Select Month:<\/strong> January<\/a><\/strong> \/ February<\/strong><\/a> \/ March<\/strong><\/a> \/ April<\/strong><\/a> \/ May<\/strong><\/a> \/ June<\/strong><\/a> \/ July<\/strong><\/a> \/ August<\/strong><\/a> \/ September<\/strong><\/a> \/ October<\/strong><\/a> \/ November<\/strong><\/a> \/ December<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

_________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday Mass Readings for<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

April 2026  – Year A<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 5th April 2026 – Easter Sunday<\/a>
Sunday 12th April 2026 – 2nd Sunday of Easter<\/a>
Sunday 19th April 2026 – 3rd Sunday of Easter<\/a>
Sunday 26th April 2026 – 4th Sunday of Easter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

_________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Easter<\/figure> <\/p>\n\n\n Sunday 5th April – Easter Sunday <\/b><\/p> \n\n

Easter<\/p> \n\n

\nA reading from the Acts of the Apotles 10:34, 37-43 <\/b> <\/font color>
\n\n \u2018We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection\u2019 <\/i> <\/p> \n\n

Peter addressed Cornelius and his household: \u2018You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. Now I, and those with me, can witness to everything he did throughout the countryside of Judaea and in Jerusalem itself: and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterwards God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen, not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses \u2013 we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead \u2013 and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.\u2019 <\/p> \n\n

\nPsalm: 117(118):1-2,16-17,22-23 <\/b> <\/font color>
\n\nGive thanks to the Lord for he is good,
\nfor his love has no end.
\nLet the sons of Israel say:
\n\u2018His love has no end.\u2019 <\/p> \n\n

The Lord\u2019s right hand has triumphed;
\nhis right hand raised me up.
\nI shall not die, I shall live
\nand recount his deeds. <\/p> \n\n

The stone which the builders rejected
\nhas become the corner stone.
\nThis is the work of the Lord,
\na marvel in our eyes. <\/p> \n\n

\nA reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Colossians 3:1-4
<\/font color> <\/b> \n\n Look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is <\/i> <\/p> \n\n

Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God\u2019s right hand. Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed \u2013 and he is your life \u2013 you too will be revealed in all your glory with him. <\/p>\n\n

\nA reading from the Gospel of St John 20:1-9
<\/font color> <\/b> \n\n He must rise from the dead <\/i> <\/p> \n\n

It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. \u2018They have taken the Lord out of the tomb\u2019 she said \u2018and we don\u2019t know where they have put him.\u2019
\n“So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead. <\/p>
\n\n\n

\"2nd<\/figure> <\/p>\n\n\n

Sunday 12th April – 2nd Sunday of Easter: Divine Mercy Sunday<\/font color> <\/b><\/p> \n\n

2nd Sunday of Easter<\/p>\n\n \n

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47 <\/font color> <\/b>
\n\n The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common. <\/i> <\/p> \n\n

The whole community remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
\nThe many miracles and signs worked through the apostles made a deep impression on everyone.
\nThe faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed.
\nThey went as a body to the Temple every day but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved. <\/p> \n\n\n

\nPsalm: 117:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 <\/font color>
<\/b> \n\nLet the sons of Israel say:
\n\u2018His love has no end.\u2019
\nLet the sons of Aaron say:
\n\u2018His love has no end.\u2019
\nLet those who fear the Lord say:
\n\u2018His love has no end.\u2019 <\/p> \n\n

I was thrust down, thrust down and falling,
\nbut the Lord was my helper.
\nThe Lord is my strength and my song;
\nhe was my saviour.
\nThere are shouts of joy and victory
\nin the tents of the just. <\/p> \n\n

The stone which the builders rejected
\nhas become the corner stone.
\nThis is the work of the Lord,
\na marvel in our eyes.
\nThis day was made by the Lord;
\nwe rejoice and are glad. <\/p> \n\n

\nA reading from the First Letter of St Peter 1:3-9 <\/font color>
<\/b> \n\n In his great mercy he has given us a new birth as his sons by raising Jesus from the dead. <\/i> <\/p> \n\n

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away, because it is being kept for you in the heavens. Through your faith, God\u2019s power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time. This is a cause of great joy for you, even though you may for a short time have to bear being plagued by all sorts of trials; so that, when Jesus Christ is revealed, your faith will have been tested and proved like gold \u2013 only it is more precious than gold, which is corruptible even though it bears testing by fire \u2013 and then you will have praise and glory and honour. You did not see him, yet you love him; and still without seeing him, you are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described, because you believe; and you are sure of the end to which your faith looks forward, that is, the salvation of your souls. <\/p> \n\n

\nA reading from the Gospel of St John 20:19-31 <\/font color>
<\/b> \n\n Eight days later, Jesus came. <\/i> <\/p> \n\n

In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, \u2018Peace be with you\u2019, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, \u2018Peace be with you.<\/p>\n\n

\u2018As the Father sent me,
\nso am I sending you.\u2019<\/p>\n\n

After saying this he breathed on them and said:<\/p>\n\n

\u2018Receive the Holy Spirit.
\nFor those whose sins you forgive,
\nthey are forgiven;
\nfor those whose sins you retain,
\nthey are retained.\u2019<\/p>\n\n

Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, \u2018We have seen the Lord\u2019, he answered, \u2018Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.\u2019 Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. \u2018Peace be with you\u2019 he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, \u2018Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.\u2019 Thomas replied, \u2018My Lord and my God!\u2019 Jesus said to him:<\/p>\n\n

\u2018You believe because you can see me.
\nHappy are those who have not seen and yet believe.\u2019<\/p>\n\n

There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name. <\/p>
\n\n

\"\"<\/figure> <\/p>\n\n\n

Sunday 19th April – 3rd Sunday of Easter<\/b><\/p> \n\n

\"3rd<\/p>\n\n \n

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:14, 22-33 <\/font color><\/b>
\n\n It was impossible for him to be held in the power of Hades. <\/i> <\/p> \n\n

On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed the crowd in a loud voice: \u2018Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know. This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention and foreknowledge of God, you took and had crucified by men outside the Law. You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades; for it was impossible for him to be held in its power since, as David says of him:<\/p>\n\n

I saw the Lord before me always,
\nfor with him at my right hand nothing can shake me.
\nSo my heart was glad
\nand my tongue cried out with joy;
\nmy body, too, will rest in the hope
\nthat you will not abandon my soul to Hades
\nnor allow your holy one to experience corruption.
\nYou have made known the way of life to me,
\nyou will fill me with gladness through your presence.<\/p>\n\n

\u2018Brothers, no one can deny that the patriarch David himself is dead and buried: his tomb is still with us. But since he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn him an oath to make one of his descendants succeed him on the throne, what he foresaw and spoke about was the resurrection of the Christ: he is the one who was not abandoned to Hades, and whose body did not experience corruption. God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to that. Now raised to the heights by God\u2019s right hand, he has received from the Father the Holy Spirit, who was promised, and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit.\u2019 <\/p> \n\n\n

\nPsalm: 15(16):1-2,5,7-11 <\/font color>
<\/b> \n\nPreserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
\n I say to the Lord: \u2018You are my God.
\nO Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
\n it is you yourself who are my prize.\u2019 <\/p> \n\n

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
\n who even at night directs my heart.
\nI keep the Lord ever in my sight:
\n since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm. <\/p> \n\n

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
\n even my body shall rest in safety.
\nFor you will not leave my soul among the dead,
\n nor let your beloved know decay. <\/p> \n\n

You will show me the path of life,
\n the fullness of joy in your presence,
\n at your right hand happiness for ever. <\/p>\n\n

\nA reading from the First Letter of St Peter 1:17-21<\/font color>
<\/b> \n\n Your ransom was paid in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely, Christ. <\/i> <\/p> \n\n

If you are acknowledging as your Father one who has no favourites and judges everyone according to what he has done, you must be scrupulously careful as long as you are living away from your home. Remember, the ransom that was paid to free you from the useless way of life your ancestors handed down was not paid in anything corruptible, neither in silver nor gold, but in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ; who, though known since before the world was made, has been revealed only in our time, the end of the ages, for your sake. Through him you now have faith in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory for that very reason \u2013 so that you would have faith and hope in God. <\/p> \n\n

\nA reading from the Gospel of St Luke 24:13-35
<\/font color> <\/b> \n\n They recognised him at the breaking of bread. <\/i> <\/p> \n\n

Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. He said to them, \u2018What matters are you discussing as you walk along?\u2019 They stopped short, their faces downcast.
\nThen one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, \u2018You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days.\u2019 \u2018What things?\u2019 he asked. \u2018All about Jesus of Nazareth\u2019 they answered \u2018who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.\u2019
\nThen he said to them, \u2018You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?\u2019 Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.
\nWhen they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. \u2018It is nearly evening\u2019 they said \u2018and the day is almost over.\u2019 So he went in to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, \u2018Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?\u2019
\nThey set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, \u2018Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.\u2019 Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread. <\/p>
\n\n

\"\"<\/figure> <\/p>\n\n\n

Sunday 26th April – 4th Sunday of Easter<\/font color><\/b><\/p> \n\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\n \n

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:14, 36-41 <\/font color><\/b>
\n\n God made him both Lord and Christ <\/i> <\/p> \n\n

On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed the crowd in a loud voice: \u2018The whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.\u2019
\nHearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles, \u2018What must we do, brothers?\u2019 \u2018You must repent,\u2019 Peter answered \u2018and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself.\u2019 He spoke to them for a long time using many arguments, and he urged them, \u2018Save yourselves from this perverse generation.\u2019 They were convinced by his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptised. That very day about three thousand were added to their number. <\/p> \n\n\n

\nPsalm: 22(23):1-6 <\/font color>
<\/b> \n\nThe Lord is my shepherd;
\nthere is nothing I shall want.
\nFresh and green are the pastures
\nwhere he gives me repose.
\nNear restful waters he leads me,
\nto revive my drooping spirit. <\/p> \n\n

He guides me along the right path;
\nhe is true to his name.
\nIf I should walk in the valley of darkness
\nno evil would I fear.
\nYou are there with your crook and your staff;
\nwith these you give me comfort. <\/p> \n\n

You have prepared a banquet for me
\nin the sight of my foes.
\nMy head you have anointed with oil;
\nmy cup is overflowing. <\/p>\n\n

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
\nall the days of my life.
\nIn the Lord\u2019s own house shall I dwell
\nfor ever and ever. <\/p> \n\n\n

\nA reading from the First Leter of St Peter 2:20-25 <\/font color>
<\/b> \n\n You have come back to the shepherd of souls. <\/i> <\/p> \n\n

The merit, in the sight of God, is in bearing punishment patiently when you are punished after doing your duty.
\nThis, in fact, is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow the way he took. He had not done anything wrong, and there had been no perjury in his mouth. He was insulted and did not retaliate with insults; when he was tortured he made no threats but he put his trust in the righteous judge. He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross, so that we might die to our faults and live for holiness; through his wounds you have been healed. You had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. <\/p> \n\n

\nA reading from the Gospel of St John 10:1-10 <\/font color>
<\/b> \n\n \tI am the gate of the sheepfold. <\/i> <\/p> \n\n

Jesus said:\n\u2018I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers.\u2019
\nJesus told them this parable but they failed to understand what he meant by telling it to them.
\nSo Jesus spoke to them again:

\n\u2018I tell you most solemnly,
\nI am the gate of the sheepfold.
\nAll others who have come
\nare thieves and brigands;
\nbut the sheep took no notice of them.
\nI am the gate.
\nAnyone who enters through me will be safe:
\nhe will go freely in and out
\nand be sure of finding pasture.
\nThe thief comes
\nonly to steal and kill and destroy.
\nI have come
\nso that they may have life and have it to the full.\u2019 <\/p>
\n\n\n\n

_________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reproduced with Permission.
\nExcerpt from THE GRAIL PSALMS, with permission of A P Watt at United Agents on behalf of The Grail, England. Copyright \u00a9 1963 by The Grail, England.
\nCopyright \u00a9 2019-2026 Prayerfulness.com. Users must not reproduce, download, store in any medium, distribute, transmit or retransmit or manipulate any text contained in this website except for non-commercial worship purposes. Thank you.<\/i><\/font size=\"1\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

April 2026 Sunday Readings Scripture Readings for Sundays in April 2026 Follow the Scripture readings for Sundays of the Year. Read and reflect on them as part of your daily prayer. Select Month: January \/ February \/ March \/ April \/ May \/ June \/ July \/ August \/ September \/ October \/ November \/ December Sunday Mass Readings for April 2026  – Year A Sunday 5th April 2026 – Easter SundaySunday … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14642","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14642","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14642"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14642\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14707,"href":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14642\/revisions\/14707"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14642"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}