Daily readings

Monday, February 23, 2026

Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr. Lent. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

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.

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

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.

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.

2

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.

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. OH Lord, my helper, and my redeemer.

3

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.

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.

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.