Daily readings

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs. Ordinary Time. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs

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.

Back to the Mass Guide Order of the Mass What to Say at Mass

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 Wednesday September 16, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Wednesday September 16, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13, psalm Psalm 33:2-3, 4-5, 12 and 22, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Luke 7:31-35.

What is the Gospel for Wednesday September 16, 2026?

The Gospel for Wednesday September 16, 2026 is Luke 7:31-35. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Wednesday September 16, 2026?

The psalm for Wednesday September 16, 2026 is Psalm 33:2-3, 4-5, 12 and 22. 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 Wednesday September 16, 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

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13

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.

12:31But be zealous for the better gifts. And I show to you yet a more excellent way.

13:1If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely; is not puffed up;

5Is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil;

6Rejoiceth not in sin, but rejoiceth with the truth;

7Beareth all things, believes all things, hopeth all things, lasts all things.

8Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void, or tongues shall cease, or knowledge shall be destroyed.

9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.

11When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But, when I became a man, I put away the things of a child.

12We see now through a glass in a dark manner; but then face to face. Now I know I part; but then I shall know even as I am known.

13And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.

Psalm

Psalm 33:2-3, 4-5, 12 and 22

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.

33:2Give praise to the Lord on the harp; sing to him with the psaltery, the instrument of ten strings.

3Sing to him a new canticle, sing well to him with a loud noise.

4For the word of the Lord is right, and all his works are done with faithfulness.

5He loves mercy and judgment; the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.

12Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: the people whom he has chosen for his gift.

22Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in you.

Gospel

Luke 7:31-35

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.

7:31And the Lord said: To which then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

32They are like to children sitting in the marketplace, and speaking one to another, and saying: We have piped to you, and you have not danced: we have mourned, and you have not wept.

33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and you say: He has a devil.

34The Son of Man is come eating and drinking: and you say: Look a man that is a glutton and a drinker of wine, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.

35And wisdom is justified by all her children.

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

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13

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 33:2-3, 4-5, 12 and 22

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

Luke 7:31-35

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 Wednesday September 16, 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.

Browse this year Mass guide Order of the Mass

Move through the calendar

Previous day

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Hub

Mass readings hub

Open today's readings, look up another date, or jump into a year archive.

Next day

Thursday, September 17, 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.