Daily readings

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Saint George, Martyr/Saint Adalbert, Bishop and Martyr. Eastertide. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint George, Martyr/Saint Adalbert, Bishop and Martyr

TypeOptional Memorial

SeasonEastertide

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 Thursday April 23, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Thursday April 23, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Acts 8:26-40, psalm Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel John 6:44-51.

What is the Gospel for Thursday April 23, 2026?

The Gospel for Thursday April 23, 2026 is John 6:44-51. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Thursday April 23, 2026?

The psalm for Thursday April 23, 2026 is Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20. 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 April 23, 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

Acts 8:26-40

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.

8:26Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: Arise, go towards the south, to the way that goes down from Jerusalem into Gaza: this is desert.

27And rising up, he went. And look a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch, of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge over all her treasures, had come to Jerusalem to adore.

28And he was returning, sitting in this chariot, and reading Isaias the prophet.

29And the Spirit said to Philip: Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.

30And Philip running there, heard him reading the prophet Isaias. And he said: Thinkest you that you understandest what you readest?

31Who said: And how can I, unless some man show me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32And the place of the scripture which he was reading was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb without voice before his shearer, so openeth he not his mouth.

33In humility his judgment was taken away. His generation who shall declare, for his life shall be taken from the earth?

34And the eunuch answering Philip, said: I beg you, of whom does the prophet speak this? of himself, or of some other man?

35Then Philip, opening his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached to him Jesus.

36And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water; and the eunuch said: See, here is water: what does hinder me from being baptized?

37And Philip said: If you believest with all your heart, you may. And he answering, said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch: and he baptized him.

39And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing.

40But Philip was found in Azotus; and passing through, he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

2

Psalm

Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20

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.

66:8O bless our God, you Gentiles: and make the voice of his praise to be heard.

9Who has set my soul to live: and has not suffered my feet to be moved:

16Come and hear, all you that fear God, and I will tell you what great things he has done for my soul.

17I cried to him with my mouth: and I extolled him with my tongue.

20Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

3

Gospel

John 6:44-51

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.

6:44No man can come to me, except the Father, who has sent me, draw him; and I will raise him up in the last day.

45It is written in the prophets: And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that has heard of the Father, and has learned, comes to me.

46Not that any man has seen the Father; but he who is of God, he has seen the Father.

47Truly, truly I say to you: He that believes in me, has eternal life.

48I am the bread of life.

49Your fathers did eat manna in the desert, and are dead.

50This is the bread which comes down from heaven; that if any man eat of it, he may not die.

51I am the living bread which came down from heaven.

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

Acts 8:26-40

In Eastertide, the first reading usually comes from Acts of the Apostles so the Church stays close to the witness of the risen Lord and the life of the early Church.

2

Psalm

Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20

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

John 6:44-51

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 Thursday April 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.

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.