Daily readings

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Saint Christopher Magallanes and Companions, Martyrs. Eastertide. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint Christopher Magallanes and Companions, Martyrs

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 May 21, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Thursday May 21, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Acts 22:30; 23:6-11, psalm Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel John 17:20-26.

What is the Gospel for Thursday May 21, 2026?

The Gospel for Thursday May 21, 2026 is John 17:20-26. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Thursday May 21, 2026?

The psalm for Thursday May 21, 2026 is Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11. 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 May 21, 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 22:30; 23:6-11

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.

22:30But on the next day, meaning to know more diligently for what cause he was accused by the Jews, he loosed him, and commanded the priests to come together, and all the council: and bringing forth Paul, he set him before them.

23:6And Paul knowing that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, cried out in the council: Men, brothers and sisters, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees: concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

7And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the crowd was divided.

8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

9And there arose a great cry. And some of the Pharisees rising up, strove, saying: We find no evil in this man. What if a spirit has said to him, or an angel?

10And when there arose a great dissension, the tribune fearing lest Paul should be pulled in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

11And the night following the Lord standing by him, said: Be constant; for as you have testified of me in Jerusalem, so must you bear witness also at Rome.

2

Psalm

Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

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.

16:1The inscription of a title to David himself. Preserve me, O Lord, for I have put trust in you.

2I have said to the Lord, you are my God, for you have no need of my goods.

5The Lord is the share of my gift and of my cup: it is you that will restore my gift to me.

7I will bless the Lord, who has given me understanding: moreover my reins also have corrected me even till night.

8I set the Lord always in my sight: for he is at my right hand, that I be not moved.

9Therefore my heart has been glad, and my tongue has rejoiced: moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10Because you will not leave my soul in hell; nor will then give your holy one to see corruption.

11You have made known to me the ways of life, you shall fill me with joy with your face: at your right hand are delights even to the end.

3

Gospel

John 17:20-26

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.

17:20And not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in me;

21That they all may be one, as you, Father, in me, and I in you; that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you have sent me.

22And the glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, as we also are one:

23I in them, and you in me; that they may be made perfect in one: and the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them, as you have also loved me.

24Father, I will that where I am, they also whom you have given me may be with me; that they may see my glory which you have given me, because you have loved me before the creation of the world.

25Righteous Father, the world has not known you; but I have known you: and these have known that you have sent me.

26And I have made known your name to them, and will make it known; that the love with what you have loved me, may be in them, and I in them.

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 22:30; 23:6-11

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 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

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 17:20-26

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 Thursday May 21, 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.