Daily readings

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Thursday after Epiphany. Christmas. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationThursday after Epiphany

TypeWeekday

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 Thursday January 8, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Thursday January 8, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading 1 John 4:19–5:4, psalm Psalm 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Luke 4:14-22.

What is the Gospel for Thursday January 8, 2026?

The Gospel for Thursday January 8, 2026 is Luke 4:14-22. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Thursday January 8, 2026?

The psalm for Thursday January 8, 2026 is Psalm 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17. 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 Thursday January 8, 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 4:19–5:4

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.

4:19Let us therefore love God, because God first has loved us.

20If any man say, I love God, and hates his brother; he is a liar. For he that loves not his brother, whom he sees, how can he love God, whom he sees not?

21And this command we have from God, that he, who loves God, love also his brother.

5:1Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And every one that loves him who begot, loves him also who is born of him.

2In this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God, and keep his commands.

3For this is the charity of God, that we keep his commands: and his commands are not heavy.

4For whatever is born of God, overcometh the world: and this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith.

2

Psalm

Psalm 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17

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.

14He shall redeem their souls from usuries and sin: and their names shall be honourable in his sight.

15And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Arabia, for him they shall always adore: they shall bless him all the day.

17Let his name be blessed for evermore$1 his name continueth before the sun. And in him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed: all nations shall magnify him.

3

Gospel

Luke 4:14-22

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.

4:14And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit, into Galilee, and the fame of him went out through the whole country.

15And he taught in their synagogues, and was magnified by all.

16And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day; and he rose up to read.

17And the book of Isaias the prophet was gave to him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written:

18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Therefore he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he has sent me to heal the sorry of heart,

19To preach rescue to the captives, and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of reward.

20And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.

21And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears.

22And all gave teaching to him: and they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth, and they said: Is not this the son of Joseph?

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 4:19–5:4

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 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17

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

Luke 4:14-22

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 Thursday January 8, 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.