Daily readings

Monday, February 23, 2026

Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr. Lent. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr

TypeCommemoration

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.

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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 Monday February 23, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Monday February 23, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18, psalm Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 25:31-46.

What is the Gospel for Monday February 23, 2026?

The Gospel for Monday February 23, 2026 is Matthew 25:31-46. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Monday February 23, 2026?

The psalm for Monday February 23, 2026 is Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15. 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 Monday February 23, 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

Leviticus 19:1-2, 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.

19:1The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

2Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and you shall say to them: Be you holy, because I the Lord your God am holy.

11You shall not steal. You shall not lie, neither shall any man deceive his neighbour.

12You shall not swear falsely by my name, nor profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.

13You shall not calumniate your neighbour, nor oppress him by violence. The wages of him that has been hired by you shall not abide with you until the morning.

14You shall not speak evil of the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind: but you shall fear the Lord your God, because I am the Lord.

15You shall not do that which is unjust, nor judge unjustly. Respect not the person of the poor, nor honour the face of the mighty. But judge your neighbour according to righteousness.

16You shall not be a detractor nor a whisperer among the people. You shall not stand against the blood of your neighbour. I am the Lord.

17You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but reprove him openly, lest you incur sin through him.

18Seek not revenge, nor be mindful of the injury of your citizens. You shall love your friend as yourself. I am the Lord.

Psalm

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15

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.

19:8The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: the teaching of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.

9The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts: the command of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes.

10The reverence for the Lord is holy, enduring forever and ever: the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.

15And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please: and the meditation of my heart always in your sight. O Lord, my helper, and my redeemer.

Gospel

Matthew 25:31-46

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.

25:31And when the Son of Man shall come in his majesty, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty.

32And all nations shall be gathered together before him, and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats:

33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.

34Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, you blessed of my Father, have you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

35For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in:

36Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me.

37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see you hungry, and fed you; thirsty, and gave you drink?

38And when did we see you a stranger, and took you in? or naked, and covered you?

39Or when did we see you sick or in prison, and came to you?

40And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brothers and sisters, you did it to me.

41Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into eternal fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels.

42For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink.

43I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you covered me not: sick and in prison, and you did not visit me.

44Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to you?

45Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me.

46And these shall go into eternal punishment: but the righteous, into life eternal.

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

Leviticus 19:1-2, 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 19:8, 9, 10, 15

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

Matthew 25:31-46

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 Monday February 23, 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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Tuesday, February 24, 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.