Daily readings

Saturday, January 3, 2026

The Most Holy Name of Jesus. Christmas. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationThe Most Holy Name of Jesus

TypeOptional Memorial

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.

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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 Saturday January 3, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Saturday January 3, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading 1 John 2:29–3:6, psalm Psalm 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel John 1:29-34.

What is the Gospel for Saturday January 3, 2026?

The Gospel for Saturday January 3, 2026 is John 1:29-34. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Saturday January 3, 2026?

The psalm for Saturday January 3, 2026 is Psalm 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6. 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 Saturday January 3, 2026?

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

First Reading

1 John 2:29–3:6

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.

2:29If you know, that he is righteous, know you, that every one also, who does righteousness, is born of him.

3:1Look what manner of charity the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called, and should be the sons of God. Therefore the world knows not us, because it knew not him.

2Dearly beloved, we are now the sons of God; and it has not yet appeared what we shall be. We know, that, when he shall appear, we shall be like to him: because we shall see him as he is.

3And every one that has this hope in him, sanctifieth himself, as he also is holy.

4Whoever committeth sin commmitteth also sin; and sin is sin.

5And you know that he appeared to take away our sins, and in him there is no sin.

6Whoever remains in him, sinneth not; and whoever sinneth, has not seen him, nor known him.

Psalm

Psalm 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6

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.

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.

5Sing praise to the Lord on the harp, on the harp, and with the voice of a psalm:

6with long trumpets, and sound of comet. Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king:

Gospel

John 1:29-34

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.

1:29The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him, and he says: Look the Lamb of God, look him who takes away the sin of the world.

30This is he, of whom I said: After me there comes a man, who is preferred before me: because he was before me.

31And I knew him not, but that he may be made clear in Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

32And John gave teaching, saying: I saw the Spirit coming down, as a dove from heaven, and he remained upon him.

33And I knew him not; but he who sent me to baptize with water, said to me: He upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining upon him, he it is that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

34And I saw, and I gave teaching, that this is the Son of God.

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

1 John 2:29–3:6

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 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6

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

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.

Gospel

John 1:29-34

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 Saturday January 3, 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.

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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.