Daily readings

Monday, May 18, 2026

Saint John I, Pope and Martyr. Eastertide. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint John I, Pope 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.

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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 Monday May 18, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Monday May 18, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Acts 19:1-8, psalm Psalm 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel John 16:29-33.

What is the Gospel for Monday May 18, 2026?

The Gospel for Monday May 18, 2026 is John 16:29-33. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Monday May 18, 2026?

The psalm for Monday May 18, 2026 is Psalm 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab. 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 Monday May 18, 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

Acts 19:1-8

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.

19:1And it happened, while Apollo was at Corinth, that Paul having passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples.

2And he said to them: Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? But they said to him: We have not so much as heard whether there be a Holy Ghost.

3And he said: In what then were you baptized? Who said: In John's baptism.

4Then Paul said: John baptized the people with the baptism of penance, saying: That they should believe in him who was to come after him, that is to say, in Jesus.

5Having heard these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

7And all the men were about twelve.

8And entering into the synagogue, he spoke boldly for the space of three months, arguing and exhorting concerning the kingdom of God.

Psalm

Psalm 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab

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.

68:2Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered: and let them that hate him flee from before his face.

3As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the evil perish at the presence of God.

4And let the righteous feast, and rejoice before God: and be delighted with gladness.

5Sing you to God, sing a psalm to his name, make a way for him who ascendeth upon the west: the Lord is his name. Rejoice you before him: but the evil shall be troubled at his presence,

6who is the father of orphans, and the judge of widows. God in his sacred place:

7God who makes men of one manner to dwell in a house: Who bringeth out them that were bound in strength; in like manner them that provoke, that dwell in tombs.

Gospel

John 16:29-33

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.

16:29His disciples say to him: Look, now you speakest plainly, and speakest no proverb.

30Now we know that you know all things, and you needest not that any man should ask you. By this we believe that you came forth from God.

31Jesus answered them: Do you now believe?

32Look, the hour comes, and it is now come, that you shall be scattered every man to his own, and shall leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

33These things I have said to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress: but have confidence, I have overcome the world.

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

Acts 19:1-8

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.

Psalm

Psalm 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab

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

John 16:29-33

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 Monday May 18, 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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Tuesday, May 19, 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.