Daily readings

Monday, July 20, 2026

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

CelebrationSaint Apollinaris

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 Monday July 20, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Monday July 20, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Micah 6:1-4, 6-8, psalm Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 12:38-42.

What is the Gospel for Monday July 20, 2026?

The Gospel for Monday July 20, 2026 is Matthew 12:38-42. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Monday July 20, 2026?

The psalm for Monday July 20, 2026 is Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23. 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 July 20, 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

Micah 6:1-4, 6-8

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.

6:1Hear you what the Lord says: Arise, contend you in judgment against the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.

2Let the mountains hear the judgment of the Lord, and the strong foundations of the earth: for the Lord will enter into judgment with his people, and he will plead against Israel.

3O my people, what have I done to you, or in what have I molested you? answer you me.

4For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and rescued you out of the house of slaves: and I sent before your face Moses, and Aaron, and Mary.

6O my people, remember, I ask you, what Balach the king of Moab purposed: and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, from Setim to Galgal, that you might know the justices of the Lord.

8What shall I offer to the Lord that is worthy? with what shall I kneel before the high God? shall I offer holocausts to him, and calves of a year old?

Psalm

Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23

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.

50:5Gather you together his saints to him: who set his covenant before sacrifices.

6And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge.

8I will not reprove you for your sacrifices: and your burnt offerings are always in my sight.

9I will not take calves out of your house: nor he goats out of your flocks.

16But to the sinner God has said: Why do you declare my justices, and take my covenant in your mouth$1

17Seeing you have hated discipline: and have cast my words behind you.

21these things have you done, and I was silent. You thoughtest unjustly that I should be like to you: but I will reprove you, and set before your face.

23The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me: and there is the way by which I will show him the salvation of God.

Gospel

Matthew 12:38-42

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.

12:38Then some of the teachers of the law and Pharisees answered him, saying: Master we would see a sign from you.

39Who answering said to them: An evil and adulterous generation seeketh a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.

40For as Jonas was in the whale's belly three days and three nights: so shall the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.

41The men of Ninive shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they did penance at the preaching of Jonas. And look a greater than Jonas here.

42The queen of the south shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and look > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Transfer interrupted! And when an unclean spirit is gone out of a man he walks through dry places seeking rest, and findeth none.

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

Micah 6:1-4, 6-8

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 50:5-6, 8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23

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 12:38-42

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 July 20, 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, July 21, 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.