Daily readings

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of the Church. Ordinary Time. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of the Church

TypeMemorial

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 Thursday August 20, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Thursday August 20, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Ezekiel 36:23-28, psalm Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 22:1-14.

What is the Gospel for Thursday August 20, 2026?

The Gospel for Thursday August 20, 2026 is Matthew 22:1-14. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Thursday August 20, 2026?

The psalm for Thursday August 20, 2026 is Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19. 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 August 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

Ezekiel 36:23-28

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.

36:23And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the Gentiles, which you have profaned in the midst of them: that the Gentiles may know that I am the Lord, says the Lord of hosts, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

24For I will take you from among the Gentiles, and will gather you together out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own land.

25And I will pour upon you clean water, and you shall be cleansed from all your filthiness, and I will cleanse you from all your idols.

26And I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and will give you a heart of flesh.

27And I will put my spirit in the midst of you: and I will cause you to walk in my commands, and to keep my judgments, and do them.

28And you shall dwell in the land which I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Psalm

Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19

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.

51:12Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.

13Cast me not away from your face; and take not your holy spirit from me.

14Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.

15I will teach the unjust your ways: and the evil shall be converted to you.

18For if you had desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings you will not be delighted.

19A sacrifice to God is an troubled spirit: a sorry and humbled heart, O God, you will not despise.

Gospel

Matthew 22:1-14

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.

22:1And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying:

2The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son.

3And he sent his servants, to call them that were invited to the marriage; and they would not come.

4Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited, Look, I have prepared my dinner; my beeves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come you to the marriage.

5But they neglected, and went their own ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise.

6And the rest laid hands on his servants, and having treated them contumeliously, put them to death.

7But when the king had heard of it, he was angry, and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city.

8Then he says to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but those who were invited were not worthy.

9Go you therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage.

10And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was satisfied with guests.

11And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding clothing.

12And he says to him: Friend, how came you in here not having a wedding clothing? But he was silent.

13Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

14For many are called, but few are chosen.

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

Ezekiel 36:23-28

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 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19

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 22:1-14

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 Thursday August 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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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.