{"id":14652,"date":"2026-01-20T23:29:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T23:29:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/?page_id=14652"},"modified":"2026-08-23T22:00:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T21:00:16","slug":"august-26-sunday-readings","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/august-26-sunday-readings\/","title":{"rendered":"August 26 Sunday Readings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"761\" height=\"309\" src=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/coloured-glass-menu-x5a6.png\" alt=\"Scripture\" class=\"wp-image-440\" style=\"width:219px;height:88px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/coloured-glass-menu-x5a6.png 761w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/coloured-glass-menu-x5a6-300x122.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 761px) 100vw, 761px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">August 2026 Sunday Readings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"186\" src=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/glass-1-1024x186.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-302\" style=\"width:1020px;height:185px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/glass-1-1024x186.png 1024w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/glass-1-300x55.png 300w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/glass-1-768x140.png 768w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/glass-1.png 1100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Scripture<\/strong> <strong>Readings for Sundays in August 2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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<p><strong>Select Month:<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/january-26-sunday-readings\/\">January<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;\/&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/february-26-sunday-readings\/\"><strong>February<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;\/&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/march-26-sunday-readings\/\"><strong>March<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;\/&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/april-26-sunday-readings\/\"><strong>April<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;\/&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/may-26-sunday-readings\/\"><strong>May<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;\/&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/june-26-sunday-readings\/\"><strong>June<\/strong><\/a> \/&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/july-26-sunday-readings\/\"><strong>July<\/strong><\/a> \/&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/august-26-sunday-readings\/\"><strong>August<\/strong><\/a> \/&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/september-26-sunday-readings\/\"><strong>September<\/strong><\/a> \/&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/october-26-sunday-readings\/\"><strong>October<\/strong><\/a> \/&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/november-26-sunday-readings\/\"><strong>November<\/strong><\/a>  \/&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/december-26-sunday-readings\/\"><strong>December<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">_________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-accent-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1\"><strong>Sunday Mass Readings for<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-accent-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2\"><strong>August 2026&nbsp; &#8211; Year A<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/august-26-sunday-readings\/#18thSunday\">Sunday 2nd August 2026 &#8211; 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/august-26-sunday-readings\/#19thSunday\">Sunday 9th August 2026 &#8211; 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/august-26-sunday-readings\/#20thSunday\">Sunday 16th August 2026 &#8211; 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/august-26-sunday-readings\/#21stSunday\">Sunday 23rd August 2026 &#8211; 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/august-26-sunday-readings\/#22ndSunday\">Sunday 30thAugust 2026 &#8211; 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">_________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"18thSunday\"> <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" align=\"center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"10\" src=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1024x10.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1024x10.png 1024w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-300x3.png 300w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-768x8.png 768w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1536x15.png 1536w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band.png 1699w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure> <\/p>\n\n\n <p\/><b> <font color='#0033CC'> Sunday 2nd August &#8211; 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time <\/b><\/p> \n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"886\" height=\"886\" src=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/18th-Sunday-of-OT-2026.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15390\" style=\"width:200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/18th-Sunday-of-OT-2026.png 886w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/18th-Sunday-of-OT-2026-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/18th-Sunday-of-OT-2026-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/18th-Sunday-of-OT-2026-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 886px) 100vw, 886px\" \/><\/p>  \n\n<b>  <p> \nA reading from the Prophet Isaiah 55:1-3  <\/b> <\/font color> <BR> \n\n<i>  Come and eat  <\/i>  <\/p> \n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  Thus says the Lord:<br>\n\tOh, come to the water all you who are thirsty;<br>\n\tthough you have no money, come!<br>\n\tBuy corn without money, and eat,<br>\n\tand, at no cost, wine and milk.<br>\n\tWhy spend money on what is not bread,<br>\n\tyour wages on what fails to satisfy?<br>\n\tListen, listen to me, and you will have good things to eat<br>\n\tand rich food to enjoy.<br>\n\tPay attention, come to me;<br>\n\tlisten, and your soul will live.<br>\n\tWith you I will make an everlasting covenant<br>\n\tout of the favours promised to David.<\/p>\n \n<p> <font color='#0033CC'> <b> \nPsalm: 144(145):8-9, 15-18  <\/b> <\/font color> <BR> \n\nThe Lord is kind and full of compassion,<br>\nslow to anger, abounding in love.<br>\nHow good is the Lord to all,<br>\ncompassionate to all his creatures.<\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'> The eyes of all creatures look to you<br>\nand you give them their food in due time.<br>\nYou open wide your hand,<br>\ngrant the desires of all who live.<\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>The Lord is just in all his ways<br>\nand loving in all his deeds.<br>\nHe is close to all who call him,<br>\nwho call on him from their hearts<\/p>\n\n<p> <font color='#0033CC'> <b> \n A reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans 8:35, 37-39<BR> <\/font color> <\/b> \n\n<i>  No created thing can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ <\/i>  <\/p> \n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us.<br>For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.<\/p>\n<p\/><b> <font color='#0033CC'> A reading from the Gospel of St Matthew 14:13-21<BR> <\/font color> <\/b>\n\n<i>They all ate as much as they wanted  <\/i>  <\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist\u2019s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick.<br>\nWhen evening came, the disciples went to him and said, \u201cThis is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.\u201d Jesus replied, \u201cThere is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.\u201d But they answered \u201cAll we have with us is five loaves and two fish.\u201d \u201cBring them here to me\u201d he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"19thSunday\"> <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" align=\"center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"10\" src=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1024x10.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1024x10.png 1024w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-300x3.png 300w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-768x8.png 768w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1536x15.png 1536w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band.png 1699w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure> <\/p>\n\n\n <p\/><b> <font color='#0033CC'> Sunday 9th August &#8211; 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time <\/p> \n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"886\" height=\"886\" src=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/19th-Sunday-of-OT-2026.png\" alt=\"19th Sunday of OT\" class=\"wp-image-15396\" style=\"width:198px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/19th-Sunday-of-OT-2026.png 886w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/19th-Sunday-of-OT-2026-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/19th-Sunday-of-OT-2026-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/19th-Sunday-of-OT-2026-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 886px) 100vw, 886px\" \/><\/p>  \n\n        image: &#8220;https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/19th-Sunday-of-OT-2026.png&#8221;,\n     \n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  A reading from the First Book of Kings 19:9,11-13 <\/b> <\/font color> <BR>\n\n<i>The Lord was not in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire<\/i>  <\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  When Elijah reached Horeb, the mountain of God, he went into the cave and spent the night in it. Then he was told, \u201cGo out and stand on the mountain before the Lord.\u201d Then the Lord himself went by. There came a mighty wind, so strong it tore the mountains and shattered the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there came the sound of a gentle breeze. And when Elijah heard this, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.<\/p>\n\n<p>  <b> <font color='#0033CC'>Psalm: 84(85):9-14  <\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\nI will hear what the Lord God has to say,<br>\na voice that speaks of peace.<br>\nHis help is near for those who fear him<br>\nand his glory will dwell in our land.<\/p>\n\n<p> Mercy and faithfulness have met;\n<br>justice and peace have embraced.<br>\nFaithfulness shall spring from the earth<br>\nand justice look down from heaven.<\/p>\n\n<p> he Lord will make us prosper<br>\nand our earth shall yield its fruit.<br>\nJustice shall march before him<br>\nand peace shall follow his steps.<\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  <b> <font color='#0033CC'>A reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans 9:1-5 <\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n<i>I would willingly be condemned if it could help my brothers<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'> What I want to say now is no pretence; I say it in union with Christ \u2013 it is the truth \u2013 my conscience in union with the Holy Spirit assures me of it too. What I want to say is this: my sorrow is so great, my mental anguish so endless, I would willingly be condemned and be cut off from Christ if it could help my brothers of Israel, my own flesh and blood. They were adopted as sons, they were given the glory and the covenants; the Law and the ritual were drawn up for them, and the promises were made to them. They are descended from the patriarchs and from their flesh and blood came Christ who is above all, God for ever blessed! Amen.<\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'> <b> <font color='#0033CC'> A reading from the Gospel of St Matthew 14:22-33 <\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n<i>Truly, you are the Son of God<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind. In the fourth watch of the night he went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. \u201cIt is a ghost\u201d they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, \u201cCourage! It is I! Do not be afraid.\u201d It was Peter who answered. \u201cLord,\u201d he said \u201cif it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.\u201d \u201cCome\u201d said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. \u201cLord! Save me!\u201d he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. \u201cMan of little faith,\u201d he said \u201cwhy did you doubt?\u201d And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, \u201cTruly, you are the Son of God.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<p id=\"20thSunday\"> <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" align=\"center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"10\" src=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1024x10.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1024x10.png 1024w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-300x3.png 300w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-768x8.png 768w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1536x15.png 1536w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band.png 1699w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure> <\/p>\n\n\n <p\/><b> <font color='#0033CC'> Sunday 16th August &#8211; 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time<br>\nThe Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on 15th August. In many places it is celebrated on Sunday 16th.<\/p> \n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"886\" height=\"886\" src=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20th-Sunday-of-OT-2026.png\" alt=\"20th Sunday of OT\" class=\"wp-image-15399\" style=\"width:200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20th-Sunday-of-OT-2026.png 886w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20th-Sunday-of-OT-2026-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20th-Sunday-of-OT-2026-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20th-Sunday-of-OT-2026-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 886px) 100vw, 886px\" \/><\/p>\n\n        image: &#8220;https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20th-Sunday-of-OT-2026.png&#8221;,\n\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  A reading from the Prohet Isaiah 56:1, 6-7&#8243; <\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  Thus says the Lord: Have a care for justice, act with integrity, for soon my salvation will come and my integrity be manifest.<br>Foreigners who have attached themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love his name and be his servants \u2013 all who observe the sabbath, not profaning it, and cling to my covenant \u2013 these I will bring to my holy mountain. I will make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their holocausts and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.<\/p>\n\n<p\/><b> <font color='#0033CC'> Psalm 66(67):2-3,5-6,8 <\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\nO God, be gracious and bless us<br>\nand let your face shed its light upon us.<br>\nSo will your ways be known upon earth<br>\nand all nations learn your saving help.<\/p>\n\n<p> Let the nations be glad and exult<br>\nfor you rule the world with justice.<br>\nWith fairness you rule the peoples,<br>\nyou guide the nations on earth.<\/p>\n\n<p> Let the peoples praise you, O God;<br>\nlet all the peoples praise you.<br>\nMay God still give us his blessing<br>\ntill the ends of the earth revere him.<\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'> <b> <font color='#0033CC'> A reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 <\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n<i>With Israel, God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  Let me tell you pagans this: I have been sent to the pagans as their apostle, and I am proud of being sent, but the purpose of it is to make my own people envious of you, and in this way save some of them. Since their rejection meant the reconciliation of the world, do you know what their admission will mean? Nothing less than a resurrection from the dead! God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.<br>Just as you changed from being disobedient to God, and now enjoy mercy because of their disobedience, so those who are disobedient now \u2013 and only because of the mercy shown to you \u2013 will also enjoy mercy eventually. God has imprisoned all men in their own disobedience only to show mercy to all mankind.<\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  <b> <font color='#0033CC'> A reading from the Gospel of St Matthew 15:21-28 <\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n<i>Woman, you have great faith.<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'> Jesus left Gennesaret and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Then out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started shouting, \u201cSir, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.\u201d But he answered her not a word. And his disciples went and pleaded with him. \u201cGive her what she wants,\u201d they said \u201cbecause she is shouting after us.\u201d He said in reply, \u201cI was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.\u201d But the woman had come up and was kneeling at his feet. \u201cLord,\u201d she said \u201chelp me.\u201d He replied, \u201cIt is not fair to take the children\u2019s food and throw it to the house-dogs.\u201d She retorted, \u201cAh yes, sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master\u2019s table.\u201d Then Jesus answered her, \u201cWoman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.\u201d And from that moment her daughter was well again.\u2019<\/p>\n\n<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-<\/p>\n\n<p\/><b> <font color='#0033CC'> Readings for the Feast of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven<\/p> \n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'> A reading from the Book of the Apocalypse 11: 19; 12:1-6, 10 <\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n<i>A woman adorned with the sun, standing on the moon.<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>The sanctuary of God in heaven opened, and the ark of the covenant could be seen inside it.<br>Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, adorned with the sun, standing on the moon, and with the twelve stars on her head for a crown. She was pregnant, and in labour, crying aloud in the pangs of childbirth. Then a second sign appeared in the sky, a huge red dragon which had seven heads and ten horns, and each of the seven heads crowned with a coronet. Its tail dragged a third of the stars from the sky and dropped them to the earth) and the dragon stopped in front of the woman as she was having the child, so that he could eat it as soon as it was born from its mother. The woman brought a male child into the world, the son who was to rule all the nations with an iron sceptre, and the child was taken straight up to God and to his throne, while the woman escaped into the desert, where God had made a place of safety ready. Then I heard a voice shout from heaven, \u201cVictory and power and empire for ever have been won by our God, and all authority for his Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<p\/><b> <font color='#0033CC'>Psalm 44 <\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n<p>  The daughters of kings are among your loved ones.<br>\nOn your right stands the queen in gold of Ophir.<br>\nListen, O daughter, give ear to my words:<br>\nforget your own people and your father&#8217;s house.<\/p>\n\n<p>  So will the king desire your beauty:<br>\nHe is your lord, pay homage to him.<br>\nThey are escorted amid gladness and joy;<br>\nthey pass within the palace of the king.<\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  <b> <font color='#0033CC'> A reading from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 15:20-26<\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n<i>The fact of the resurrection<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep. Death came through one man and in the same way the resurrection of the dead has come through one man. Just as all men die in Adam, so all men will be brought to life in Christ; but all of them in their proper order : Christ as the first-fruits and then, after the coming of Christ, those who belong to him. After that will come the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, having done away with every sovereignty, authority and power. For he must be king until he has put all his enemies under his feet and the last of the enemies to be destroyed is death, for everything is to be put under his feet.<\/p>\n\n <p style='text-align: justify;'>  <b> <font color='#0033CC'> A reading from the Gospel of St Luke 1:39-56<\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n<i>The Almighty has done great things for me, he has exalted up the lowly. &#8211; The Visitation<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah\u2019s house and greeted  Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary\u2019s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, \u201cOf all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  THE MAGNIFICATE<br>And Mary said:<\/p>\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  \u201cMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord<br>\nand my spirit exults in God my saviour;<br>\nbecause he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.<br>\nYes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,<br>\nfor the Almighty has done great things for me.<br>Holy is his name,<br>\nand his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.<br>\nHe has shown the power of his arm,<br>\nhe has routed the proud of heart.<br>\nHe has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.<br>\nThe hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.<br>\nHe has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy<br>\n&#8211; according to the promise he made to our ancestors &#8211;<br>\nof his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p id=\"21stSunday\"> <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" align=\"center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"10\" src=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1024x10.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1024x10.png 1024w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-300x3.png 300w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-768x8.png 768w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1536x15.png 1536w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band.png 1699w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure> <\/p>\n\n\n <p\/><b> <font color='#0033CC'> Sunday 23rd August &#8211; 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time <\/p> \n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"886\" height=\"886\" src=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/21st-Sunday-of-OT-2026.png\" alt=\"21st Sunday of OT\" class=\"wp-image-15401\" style=\"width:200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/21st-Sunday-of-OT-2026.png 886w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/21st-Sunday-of-OT-2026-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/21st-Sunday-of-OT-2026-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/21st-Sunday-of-OT-2026-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 886px) 100vw, 886px\" \/><\/p>  \n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'> A reading from the Prohet Isaiah 22:19-23<\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n<i>I place the key of the House of David on my servant&#8217;s shoulder<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p>  Thus says the Lord of Hosts to Shebna, the master of the palace:<\/p><p style='text-align: justify;'>  I dismiss you from your office,<br>I remove you from your post,<br>and the same day I call on my servant<br>Eliakim son of Hilkiah.<br>I invest him with your robe,<br>gird him with your sash,<br>entrust him with your authority;<br>and he shall be a father<br>to the inhabitants of Jerusalem<br>and to the House of Judah.<\/p>\n\n<p> <b> <font color='#0033CC'>Psalm 137(138):1-3, 6, 8 <\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n\nI thank you, Lord, with all my heart:<br>\nyou have heard the words of my mouth.<br>\nIn the presence of the angels I will bless you.<br>\nI will adore before your holy temple.<\/p>\n\n<p>  I thank you for your faithfulness and love,<br>\nwhich excel all we ever knew of you.<br>\nOn the day I called, you answered;<br>\nyou increased the strength of my soul.<\/p>\n\n<p>  The Lord is high yet he looks on the lowly<br>\nand the haughty he knows from afar.<br>\nYour love, O Lord, is eternal,<br>\ndiscard not the work of your hands.<\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'> <b> <font color='#0033CC'> A reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans 11:33-36<\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n<i>All that exists comes from him; all is by him and from him.<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  How rich are the depths of God \u2013 how deep his wisdom and knowledge \u2013 and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.<\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'> <b> <font color='#0033CC'>  A reading from the Gospel of St Matthew 16:13-20 <\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n<i>You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, \u201cWho do people say the Son of Man is?\u201d And they said, \u201cSome say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.\u201d \u201cBut you,\u201d he said \u201cwho do you say I am?\u201d Then Simon Peter spoke up, \u201cYou are the Christ,\u201d he said, \u201cthe Son of the living God.\u201d Jesus replied, \u201cSimon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.\u201d Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.<\/p>\n\n<p id=\"22ndSunday\"> <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" align=\"center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"10\" src=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1024x10.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1024x10.png 1024w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-300x3.png 300w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-768x8.png 768w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band-1536x15.png 1536w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/band.png 1699w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure> <\/p>\n\n\n <p\/><b> <font color='#0033CC'> Sunday 30th August &#8211; 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time <\/p> \n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"886\" height=\"886\" src=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/22nd-Sunday-of-OT-2026.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15449\" style=\"width:200px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/22nd-Sunday-of-OT-2026.png 886w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/22nd-Sunday-of-OT-2026-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/22nd-Sunday-of-OT-2026-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/22nd-Sunday-of-OT-2026-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 886px) 100vw, 886px\" \/><\/p>  \n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'> A reading from the Prohet Jeremiah 20:7-9<\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n<i>The word of the Lord has meant insult for me<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p> You have seduced me, Lord, and I have let myself be seduced;<br>\nyou have overpowered me: you were the stronger.<br>\nI am a daily laughing-stock,<br>\neverybody\u2019s butt.<br>\nEach time I speak the word, I have to howl<br>\nand proclaim: \u2018Violence and ruin!\u2019<br>\nThe word of the Lord has meant for me<br>\ninsult, derision, all day long.<br>\nI used to say, \u2018I will not think about him,<br>\nI will not speak in his name any more.\u2019<br>\nThen there seemed to be a fire burning in my heart,<br>\nimprisoned in my bones.<br>\nThe effort to restrain it wearied me,<br>\nI could not bear it.<\/p>\n\n<p> <b> <font color='#0033CC'>Psalm 62(63):2-6,8-9 <\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n\nO God, you are my God, for you I long;<br>\nfor you my soul is thirsting.<br>\nMy body pines for you<br>\nlike a dry, weary land without water.<\/p>\n\n<p> So I gaze on you in the sanctuary<br>\nto see your strength and your glory.<br>\nFor your love is better than life,<br>\nmy lips will speak your praise.<\/p>\n\n<p> So I will bless you all my life,<br>\nin your name I will lift up my hands.<br>\nMy soul shall be filled as with a banquet,<br>\nmy mouth shall praise you with joy.<\/p>\n\n<p> For you have been my help;<br>\nin the shadow of your wings I rejoice.<br>\nMy soul clings to you;<br>\nyour right hand holds me fast.<\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'> <b> <font color='#0033CC'> A reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans 12:1-2<\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n<i>Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  Think of God\u2019s mercy, my brothers, and worship him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.<\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'> <b> <font color='#0033CC'>  A reading from the Gospel of St Matthew 16:21-27 <\/font color><BR>  <\/b>\n<i>If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself.<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'>  Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. \u2018Heaven preserve you, Lord;\u2019 he said \u2018this must not happen to you.\u2019 But he turned and said to Peter, \u2018Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God\u2019s way but man\u2019s.\u2019<br>\nThen Jesus said to his disciples, \u2018If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?<br>\n\u2018For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.\u2019<\/p>\n<br>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">_________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style='text-align: justify;'><font size=\"1\"><i>Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman &amp; Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reproduced with Permission. <br>\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. <br>\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 class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>August 2026 Sunday Readings Scripture Readings for Sundays in August 2026 Follow the Scripture readings for Sundays of the Year. Read and reflect on them as part of your daily prayer. Select Month:&nbsp;January&nbsp;\/&nbsp;February&nbsp;\/&nbsp;March&nbsp;\/&nbsp;April&nbsp;\/&nbsp;May&nbsp;\/&nbsp;June \/&nbsp;July \/&nbsp;August \/&nbsp;September \/&nbsp;October \/&nbsp;November \/&nbsp;December Sunday Mass Readings for August 2026&nbsp; &#8211; Year A Sunday 2nd August 2026 &#8211; 18th Sunday &#8230; <a title=\"August 26 Sunday Readings\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/august-26-sunday-readings\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about August 26 Sunday Readings\">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-14652","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14652","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=14652"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14652\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15458,"href":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14652\/revisions\/15458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prayerfulness.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14652"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}