Daily readings

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Ascension of the Lord. Eastertide. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

CelebrationAscension of the Lord

TypeSolemnity

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.

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

Acts 1:1-11

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 former treatise I made, OH Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach,

2Until the day on which, giving commands by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up.

3To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God.

4And eating together with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard (says he) by my mouth.

5For John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days from here.

6They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7But he said to them: It is not for you to know the times or moments, which the Father has put in his own power:

8But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be people giving testimony to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth.

9And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, look two men stood by them in white clothes.

11Who also said: You men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, as you have seen him going into heaven.

2

Psalm

Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

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.

2OH clap your hands, all you nations: shout to God with the voice of Joy,

3For the Lord is high, terrible: a great king over all the earth.

6God is ascended with jubilee, and the Lord with the sound of trumpet.

7Sing praises to our God, sing you: sing praises to our king, sing you.

8For God is the king of all the earth: sing you wisely.

9God shall reign over the nations: God sits on his holy throne.

3

Second Reading

Ephesians 1:17-23

How to read it

This reading often teaches Christians how to live with steadiness, charity, and faith. Look for one clear encouragement or warning you can carry into the day.

17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation, in the knowledge of him:

18The eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what the hope is of the glory of his gift in the saints.

19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us, who believe according to the operation of the might of his power,

20Which he wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead, and setting him on his right hand in the heavenly places.

21Above all principality, and power, and virtue, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.

22And he has subjected all things under his feet, and has made him head over all the church,

23Which is his body, and the fulness of him who is satisfied all in all.

4

Gospel

Matthew 28:16-20

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.

16And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17And seeing them they adored: but some doubted.

18And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.

19Going therefore, teach you all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

20Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and look I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.

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.