Daily readings

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal. Ordinary Time. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint Elizabeth of Portugal

TypeOptional Memorial

SeasonOrdinary Time

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 Saturday July 4, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Saturday July 4, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Amos 9:11-15, psalm Psalm 85:9 and 10, 11-12, 13-14, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 9:14-17.

What is the Gospel for Saturday July 4, 2026?

The Gospel for Saturday July 4, 2026 is Matthew 9:14-17. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Saturday July 4, 2026?

The psalm for Saturday July 4, 2026 is Psalm 85:9 and 10, 11-12, 13-14. 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 Saturday July 4, 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

Amos 9:11-15

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.

9:11In that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, that is fallen: and I will close up the breaches of the walls thereof, and repair what was fallen: and I will rebuild it as in the days of old.

12That they may have the remnant of Edom, and all nations, because my name is invoked upon them: says the Lord that does these things.

13Look the days come, says the Lord, when the ploughman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth offspring: and the mountains shall drop sweetness, and every hill shall be tilled.

14And I will bring back the captivity of my people Israel: and they shall build the abandoned cities, and inhabit them: and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine of them: and shall make gardens, and eat the fruits of them. And I will plant them upon their own land: and I will no more pluck them out of their land which I have given them, says the Lord your God.

Psalm

Psalm 85:9 and 10, 11-12, 13-14

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.

85:9I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me: for he will speak peace to his people: And to his saints: and to them that are converted to the heart.

10Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him: that glory may dwell in our land.

11Mercy and truth have met each other: righteousness and peace have kissed.

12Truth is sprung out of the earth: and righteousness has looked down from heaven.

13For the Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.

14Righteousness shall walk before him: and shall set his steps in the way.

Gospel

Matthew 9:14-17

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.

9:14Then came to him the disciples of John, saying: Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?

15And Jesus said to them: Can the children of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast.

16And nobody putteth a piece of raw cloth to an old clothing. For it takes away the fullness thereof from the clothing, and there is made a greater rent.

17Neither do they put new wine into old bottles. Otherwise the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish. But new wine they put into new bottles: and both are preserved.

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

Amos 9:11-15

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.

Psalm

Psalm 85:9 and 10, 11-12, 13-14

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

Matthew 9:14-17

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 Saturday July 4, 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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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.