Daily readings

Sunday, November 23, 2025

Clement I. Ordinary Time. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationClement I

TypeOptional Memorial

SeasonOrdinary Time

Year2025 archive

The Roman Catholic readings for this date are shown below on-site. Use plain reading mode if you want clearer modern wording, or switch back to the original Douay-Rheims wording at any time.

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Reading mode

Plain mode helps modern readers follow the text more easily.

The on-site reading text is drawn from public-domain Douay-Rheims sources. Plain mode is a built-in reading aid that modernizes older wording for easier understanding while keeping the same Roman Catholic reading references for the day.

What are the Mass readings for Sunday November 23, 2025?

The Catholic Mass readings for Sunday November 23, 2025 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading 2 Samuel 5:1-3, psalm Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, second reading Colossians 1:12-20,and Gospel Luke 23:35-43.

What is the Gospel for Sunday November 23, 2025?

The Gospel for Sunday November 23, 2025 is Luke 23:35-43. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Sunday November 23, 2025?

The psalm for Sunday November 23, 2025 is Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5. It is included below in the same reading order used at Mass, between the first reading and the Gospel.

Are these the USCCB daily readings for Sunday November 23, 2025?

The same day's Catholic readings are gathered here on-site, with the official readings link available below in the source note.

First Reading

2 Samuel 5:1-3

How to approach it

Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.

5:1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron, saying: Look we are your bone and your flesh.

3Moreover yesterday also and the day before, when Saul was king over us, you were he that did lead out and bring in Israel: and the Lord said to you: You shall feed my people Israel, and you shall be leader over Israel.

Psalm

Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5

How to pray it

The psalm is meant to be prayed, not rushed. If the wording feels older, focus on the main movement of the prayer: trust, praise, sorrow, gratitude, or hope.

122:1I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help shall come to me.

2My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

3May he not suffer your foot to be moved: neither let him slumber that keepeth you.

4Look he shall neither slumber nor sleep, that keepeth Israel.

5The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your protection upon your right hand.

Second Reading

Colossians 1:12-20

How to read it

This reading often teaches Christians how to live with steadiness, charity, and faith. Look for one clear encouragement or warning you can carry into the day.

1:12Giving thanks to God the Father, who has made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light:

13Who has rescued us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love,

14In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins;

15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16For in him were all things created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and in him.

17And he is before all, and by him all things consist.

18And he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he may hold the primacy:

19Because in him, it has well pleased the Father, that all fullness should dwell;

20And through him to reconcile all things to himself, making peace through the blood of his cross, both as to the things that are on earth, and the things that are in heaven.

Gospel

Luke 23:35-43

What to watch for

The Gospel is the center of the reading set. Pay close attention to what Jesus says, what Jesus does, and what response he is asking for.

23:35And the people stood beholding, and the rulers with them derided him, saying: He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the elect of God.

36And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

37And saying: If you be the king of the Jews, save yourself.

38And there was also a superscription written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39And one of those robbers who were hanged, blasphemed him, saying: If you be Christ, save yourself and us.

40But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: Neither do you fear God, seeing you are condemned under the same condemnation?

41And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done no evil.

42And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when you shall come into your kingdom.

43And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to you, this day you shall be with me in paradise.

How the readings move through Mass today

The Liturgy of the Word normally moves from the first reading to the psalm, then to the second reading when one is appointed, then to the Gospel, and then into the homily. On weekday Masses, the second reading is often omitted, so the Church moves from the psalm directly to the Gospel.

First Reading

2 Samuel 5:1-3

The first reading is usually taken from the Old Testament. It prepares the heart to hear how God has been acting through his covenant and promises.

Psalm

Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5

The psalm is the Church’s prayerful response to the first reading. It helps the congregation answer God’s word with trust, praise, repentance, or hope.

Second Reading

Colossians 1:12-20

The second reading is usually taken from the New Testament letters or Revelation. It helps connect the day’s proclamation to Christian life in the Church.

Gospel

Luke 23:35-43

The Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. Catholics stand because Christ himself speaks to his people in a special way through the Gospel proclamation.

Homily

After the Gospel

The homily follows the Gospel. It should gather the day’s readings together, explain the mystery being celebrated, and help people carry the word of God into ordinary life.

What the homily usually draws together

A Catholic homily usually gathers the first reading, the psalm, and the Gospel into one spiritual movement. It may explain how the Old Testament prepares for Christ, how the apostles witness to the risen Lord, how the psalm teaches the Church to pray, and how the Gospel calls for faith and conversion now.

If you are preparing before Mass, try to carry one sentence, one image, or one invitation from the readings with you. That usually makes the homily easier to follow because you already know what part of God's word has stayed with you.

What about the Prayers of the Faithful for Sunday November 23, 2025?

The Prayers of the Faithful are usually written locally by a parish, diocese, or celebrant, so there is not always one universal text for this exact day. The scriptural readings above are the stable part the whole Church receives, and they usually shape the petitions that follow at Mass.

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Source note

The day's references and liturgical celebration data come from the Catholic Readings API, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from public-domain Douay-Rheims sources so the day's readings can be read directly on the page.