Daily readings

Friday, February 27, 2026

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

CelebrationFriday 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.

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 Friday February 27, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Friday February 27, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Ezekiel 18:21-28, psalm Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 5:20-26.

What is the Gospel for Friday February 27, 2026?

The Gospel for Friday February 27, 2026 is Matthew 5:20-26. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Friday February 27, 2026?

The psalm for Friday February 27, 2026 is Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-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 Friday February 27, 2026?

The same day's Catholic readings are gathered here on-site, with the official readings link available below in the source note.

1

First Reading

Ezekiel 18:21-28

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.

18:21But if the evil do penance for all his sins which he has committed, and keep all my commands, and do judgment, and righteousness, living he shall live, and shall not die.

22I will not remember all his sins that he has done: in his righteousness which he has wrought, he shall live.

23Is it my will that a sinner should die, says the Lord God, and not that he should be converted from his ways, and live?

24But if the righteous man turn himself away from his righteousness, and do sin according to all the abominations which the evil man useth to work, shall he live? all his justices which he has done, shall not be remembered: in the prevarication, by which he has prevaricated, and in his sin, which he has committed, in them he shall die.

25And you have said: The way of the Lord is not right. Hear you, therefore, O house of Israel: Is it my way that is not right, and are not rather your ways perverse?

26For when the righteous turneth himself away from his righteousness, and committeth sin, he shall die in it: in the injustice that he has wrought he shall die.

27And when the evil turneth himself away from his evil, which he has wrought, and does judgment, and righteousness: he shall save his soul alive.

28Because he considereth and turneth away himself from all his sins which he has wrought, he shall surely live, and not die.

2

Psalm

Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-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.

130:1Often have they fought against me from my youth, let Israel now say.

2Often have they fought against me from my youth: but they could not prevail over me.

3The evil have wrought upon my back: they have lengthened their sin.

4The Lord who is righteous will cut the necks of sinners:

5let them all be put to shame and turned back that hate Sion.

6Let them be as grass on the tops of houses: which withered before it be plucked up:

7With what the mower filleth not his hand: nor he that gathereth sheaves his bosom.

8And those who have passed by have not said: The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we have blessed you in the name of the Lord.

3

Gospel

Matthew 5:20-26

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.

5:20For I tell you, that unless your righteousness abound more than that of the teachers of the law and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21You have heard that it was said to them of old: You shall not kill. And whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.

22But I say to you, that whoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whoever shall say, You Fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23If therefore you offer your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has any thing against you;

24Leave there your offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to your brother: and then coming you shall offer your gift.

25Be at agreement with your adversary betimes, whilst you are in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.

26Amen I say to you, you shall not go out from from there till you repay the last farthing.

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.

1

First Reading

Ezekiel 18:21-28

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.

2

Psalm

Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-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.

3

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.

4

Gospel

Matthew 5:20-26

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.

5

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 Friday February 27, 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.

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.