Daily readings

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor. Ordinary Time. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor

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 Tuesday July 21, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Tuesday July 21, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Micah 7:14-15, 18-20, psalm Psalm 85:2-4, 5-6, 7-8, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 12:46-50.

What is the Gospel for Tuesday July 21, 2026?

The Gospel for Tuesday July 21, 2026 is Matthew 12:46-50. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Tuesday July 21, 2026?

The psalm for Tuesday July 21, 2026 is Psalm 85:2-4, 5-6, 7-8. 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 Tuesday July 21, 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 7:14-15, 18-20

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.

7:14Feed your people with your rod, the flock of your gift, them that dwell alone in the forest, in the midst of Carmel: they shall feed in Basan and Galaad according to the days of old.

15According to the days of your coming out of the land of Egypt I will show him wonders.

18Who is a God like to you, who takest away sin, and passest by the sin of the remnant of your gift? he will send his fury in no more, because he delights in mercy.

19He will turn again, and have mercy on us: he will put away our sins: and he will cast all our sins into the bottom of the sea.

20You will perform the truth of Jacob, the mercy to Abraham: which you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Psalm

Psalm 85:2-4, 5-6, 7-8

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.

85:2Lord, you have blessed your land: you have turned away the captivity of Jacob.

3You have forgiven the sin of your people: you have covered all their sins.

4You have mitigated all your anger: you best turned away from the wrath of your indignation.

5Convert us, O God our saviour: and turn off your anger from us.

6Will you be angry with us forever: or will you extend your wrath from generation to generation?

7You will turn, O God, and bring us to life: and your people shall rejoice in you.

8Show us, O Lord, your mercy; and grant us your salvation.

Gospel

Matthew 12:46-50

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.

12:46As he was yet speaking to the crowds, look his mother and his brothers and sisters stood without, seeking to speak to him.

47And one said to him: Look your mother and your brothers and sisters stand without, seeking you.

48But he answering him that told him, said: Who is my mother, and who are my brothers and sisters?

49And stretching forth his hand towards his disciples, he said: Look my mother and my brothers and sisters.

50For whoever shall do the will of my Father, that is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.

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 7:14-15, 18-20

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 85:2-4, 5-6, 7-8

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 12:46-50

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 Tuesday July 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.

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Wednesday, July 22, 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.