Daily readings

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Thursday of the 1st week of Lent. Lent. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationThursday of the 1st week of Lent

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.

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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 February 26, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Thursday February 26, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25, psalm Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 7:7-12.

What is the Gospel for Thursday February 26, 2026?

The Gospel for Thursday February 26, 2026 is Matthew 7:7-12. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Thursday February 26, 2026?

The psalm for Thursday February 26, 2026 is Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8. 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 February 26, 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

Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25

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.

13:12You know all things, and you know that it was not out of pride and or any desire of glory, that I refused to worship the proud Aman,

14But I feared lest I should transfer the honour of my God to a man, and lest I should adore any one except my God.

15And now, O Lord, O king, O God of Abraham, have mercy on your people, because our enemies resolve to destroy us, and extinguish your gift.

16Despise not your share, which you have redeemed for yourself out of Egypt.

Psalm

Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8

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.

138:1Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:

2On the willows in the midst thereof we hung up our instruments.

3For there those who led us into captivity required of us the words of songs. And those who carried us away, said: Sing you to us a hymn of the songs of Sion.

7Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem: Who say: Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

8O daughter of Babylon, miserable: blessed shall he be who shall repay you your payment which you have paid us.

Gospel

Matthew 7:7-12

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.

7:7Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.

8For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

9Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask bread, will he reach him a stone?

10Or if he shall ask him a fish, will he reach him a serpent?

11If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him?

12All things therefore whatever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets.

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

Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25

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 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8

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 7:7-12

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 Thursday February 26, 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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Friday, February 27, 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.