Daily readings

Sunday, January 18, 2026

2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time. Ordinary Time. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

Celebration2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

TypeSunday

SeasonOrdinary Time

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 Sunday January 18, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Sunday January 18, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Isaiah 49:3, 5-6, psalm Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10, second reading 1 Corinthians 1:1-3,and Gospel John 1:29-34.

What is the Gospel for Sunday January 18, 2026?

The Gospel for Sunday January 18, 2026 is John 1:29-34. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Sunday January 18, 2026?

The psalm for Sunday January 18, 2026 is Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10. 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 January 18, 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

Isaiah 49:3, 5-6

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.

49:3And he said to me: You are my servant Israel, for in you will I glory.

5And now says the Lord, that formed me from the womb to be his servant, that I may bring back Jacob to him, and Israel will not be gathered together: and I am glorified in the eyes of the Lord, and my God is made my strength.

6And he said: It is a small thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to convert the dregs of Israel. Look, I have given you to be the light of the Gentiles, that you mayst be my salvation even to the farthest part of the earth.

Psalm

Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

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.

40:2With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and he was attentive to me.

4And he put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many shall see, and shall fear$1 and they shall hope in the Lord.

7Sacrifice and oblation you did not desire; but you have pierced ears for me. Burnt offering and sin offering you did not require$1

8then said I, Look I come. In the head of the book it is written of me

9that I should do your will$1 O my God, I have desired it, and your law in the midst of my heart.

10I have told your righteousness in a great church, lo, I will not restrain my lips$1 O Lord, you know it.

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 1:1-3

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.

1:1Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes a brother,

2To the church of God that is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that invoke the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, in every place of theirs and ours.

3Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Isaiah 49:3, 5-6

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 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

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

1 Corinthians 1:1-3

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

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 Sunday January 18, 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.