Daily readings

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Ash Wednesday. Lent. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

CelebrationAsh Wednesday

TypeWeekday

SeasonLent

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.

On-site scripture text: Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition. 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.

1

First Reading

Joel 2:12-18

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.

12Now therefore says the Lord: Be converted to me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning.

13And rend your hearts, and not your clothes, and turn to the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil.

14Who knows but he will return, and forgive, and leave a blessing behind him, sacrifice and libation to the Lord your God?

15Blow the trumpet in Sion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly,

16Gather together the people, sanctify the church, assemble the leaders, gather together the little ones, and them that suck at the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his bed, and the bride out of her bride chamber.

17Between the porch and the altar the priests the Lord's ministers shall weep, and shall say: Spare, OH Lord, spare your people: and give not your gift to shame, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the nations: Where is their God?

18The Lord has been zealous for his land, and has spared his people.

2

Psalm

Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 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.

3Have mercy on me, OH God, according to your great mercy. And according to the crowd of your tender mercies blot out my sin.

4Wash me yet more from my sin, and cleanse me from my sin.

12Create a clean heart in me, OH God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.

13Cast me not away from your face; and take not your holy spirit from me.

3

Second Reading

2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2

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.

Full on-site text is not available for this reference yet, so use the reference above and the official link below.

4

Gospel

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

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.

1Take heed that you do not your righteousness before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father who is in heaven.

2Therefore when you do an almsdeed, sound not a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.

3But when you do charity, let not your left hand know what your right hand does.

4That your charity may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

5And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.

6But you when you shall pray, enter into your chamber, and having shut the door, pray to your Father in secret: and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

16And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.

17But you, when you fastest anoint your head, and wash your face;

18That you appear not to men to fast, but to your Father who is in secret: and your Father who sees in secret, will repay you.

Source note

This page uses the Catholic Readings API for the day's references and liturgical celebration data, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from the public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible distributed through the Open Bibles project.