Zimbabwean Catholics preparing for Saturday 5 September 2026 can follow the official daily liturgical guide, which sets out the readings for the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time, Year II. The guide, drawn from the Lectionary, includes the First Reading from 1 Corinthians, a responsorial psalm, the Gospel acclamation and the Gospel of Luke.

In the First Reading (1 Corinthians 4:6b–15), Saint Paul urges the Corinthians not to be puffed up and reminds them that everything they have is a gift from God. He contrasts the apostles’ suffering—hunger, thirst, poor clothing, homelessness and manual labour—with the Corinthians’ self-satisfaction. Paul concludes by calling himself their father in Christ through the Gospel.

The Responsorial Psalm is taken from Psalm 145, with the response: “The Lord is close to all who call him.” The verses praise God’s justice, holiness and nearness to those who call on him in truth.

The Gospel acclamation from John 14:6 proclaims: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, but by me.”

In the Gospel reading (Luke 6:1–5), Jesus and his disciples are walking through grain fields on a Sabbath. When the disciples pluck and eat heads of grain, some Pharisees ask why they are doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath. Jesus responds by citing the example of David eating the show bread and declares that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.

For the benefit of local worshippers, the guide also includes the full Shona translation of the readings. The Shona text of 1 Corinthians 4:6–15, Psalm 145, John 14:6 and Luke 6:1–5 helps Zimbabwean Catholics engage with the Word of God in their mother tongue.

Catholic parishes across Zimbabwe will use this guide during Saturday Masses, prayer meetings and personal reflection. The readings invite the faithful to remain humble, trust in God’s closeness, and recognise Jesus’ authority over the Sabbath.