Daily readings

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of the Church. Ordinary Time. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

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.

Reading mode

Plain mode helps modern readers follow the text more easily.

On-site scripture text: Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition. 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.

1

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.

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.

2

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.

12Create a clean heart in me, OH 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, OH God, you will not despise.

3

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.

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.

Source note

This page uses the Catholic Readings API for the day's references and liturgical celebration data, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from the public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible distributed through the Open Bibles project.