Daily readings

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Saint Raymond of Penyafort, Priest. Christmas. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint Raymond of Penyafort, Priest

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 Wednesday January 7, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Wednesday January 7, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading 1 John 4:11-18, psalm Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Mark 6:45-52.

What is the Gospel for Wednesday January 7, 2026?

The Gospel for Wednesday January 7, 2026 is Mark 6:45-52. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Wednesday January 7, 2026?

The psalm for Wednesday January 7, 2026 is Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13. 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 Wednesday January 7, 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 4:11-18

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.

4:11My dearest, if God has so loved us; we also ought to love one another.

12No man has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his charity is perfected in us.

13In this we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given us of his spirit.

14And we have seen, and do testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God.

16And we have known, and have believed the charity, which God has to us. God is charity: and he that remains in charity, remains in God, and God in him.

17In this is the charity of God perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment: because as he is, we also are in this world.

18Fear is not in charity: but perfect charity casteth out fear, because fear has pain. And he that feareth, is not perfected in charity.

Psalm

Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13

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.

72:1A psalm on Solomon.

2Give to the king your judgment, O God: and to the king's son your righteousness: To judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with judgment.

10The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents: the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts:

12For he shall deliver the poor from the mighty: and the needy that had no helper.

13He shall spare the poor and needy: and he shall save the souls of the poor.

Gospel

Mark 6:45-52

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.

6:45And immediately he obliged his disciples to go up into the ship, that they might go before him over the water to Bethsaida, whilst he dismissed the people.

46And when he had dismissed them, he went up to the mountain to pray.

47And when it was late, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and himself alone on the land.

48And seeing them labouring in rowing, (for the wind was against them,) and about the fourth watch of the night, he comes to them walking upon the sea, and he would have passed by them.

49But they seeing him walking upon the sea, thought it was an apparition, and they cried out.

50For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he spoke with them, and said to them: Have a good heart, it is I, fear you not.

51And he went up to them into the ship, and the wind ceased: and they were far more astonished within themselves:

52For they understood not concerning the bread; for their heart was blinded.

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 4:11-18

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 72:1-2, 10, 12-13

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

Mark 6:45-52

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 Wednesday January 7, 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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Thursday, January 8, 2026

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.