Daily readings

Friday, January 2, 2026

Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors. Christmas. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors

TypeMemorial

SeasonChristmas

Year2026 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.

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 Friday January 2, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Friday January 2, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading 1 John 2:22-28, psalm Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel John 1:19-28.

What is the Gospel for Friday January 2, 2026?

The Gospel for Friday January 2, 2026 is John 1:19-28. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Friday January 2, 2026?

The psalm for Friday January 2, 2026 is Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4. 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 Friday January 2, 2026?

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

1

First Reading

1 John 2:22-28

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.

2:22Who is a liar, but he who denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is Antichrist, who denieth the Father, and the Son.

23Whoever denieth the Son, the same has not the Father. He that confesseth the Son, has the Father also.

24As for you, let that which you have heard from the start, abide in you. If that abide in you, which you have heard from the start, you also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father.

25And this is the promise which he has promised us, life eternal.

26These things have I written to you, concerning them that seduce you.

27And as for you, let the unction, which you have received from him, abide in you. And you have no need that any man teach you; but as his unction teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie. And as it has taught you, abide in him.

28And now, little children, abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be put to shame by him at his coming.

2

Psalm

Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

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.

98:1A psalm for David himself. Sing you to the Lord anew canticle: because he has done wonderful things. His right hand has wrought for him salvation, and his arm is holy.

2The Lord has made known his salvation: he has revealed his righteousness before the Gentiles.

3He has remembered his mercy his truth toward the people of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4Sing joyfully to God, all the earth; make melody, rejoice and sing.

3

Gospel

John 1:19-28

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.

1:19And this is the teaching of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to him, to ask him: Who art you?

20And he confessed, and did not deny: and he confessed: I am not the Christ.

21And they asked him: What then? Art you Elias? And he said: I am not. Art you the prophet? And he answered: No.

22They said therefore to him: Who art you, that we may give an answer to them that sent us? What sayest you of yourself?

23He said: I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaias.

24And those who were sent, were of the Pharisees.

25And they asked him, and said to him: Why then do you baptize, if you be not Christ, nor Elias, nor the prophet?

26John answered them, saying: I baptize with water; but there has stood one in the midst of you, whom you know not.

27The same is the one who will come after me, who is preferred before me: the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to loose.

28These things were done in Bethania, beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

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.

1

First Reading

1 John 2:22-28

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.

2

Psalm

Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

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.

3

Second Reading

Usually omitted today

There is no second reading at many weekday Masses. On days like this, the liturgy moves from the psalm directly to the Gospel.

4

Gospel

John 1:19-28

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.

5

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 Friday January 2, 2026?

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.

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.