Daily readings

Monday, September 21, 2026

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

CelebrationSaint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

TypeFeast

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.

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 September 21, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Monday September 21, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13, psalm Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 9:9-13.

What is the Gospel for Monday September 21, 2026?

The Gospel for Monday September 21, 2026 is Matthew 9:9-13. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Monday September 21, 2026?

The psalm for Monday September 21, 2026 is Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5. 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 September 21, 2026?

The same day's Catholic readings are gathered here on-site, with the official readings link available below in the source note.

1

First Reading

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13

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.

4:1I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called,

2With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.

3Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4One body and one Spirit; as you are called in one hope of your calling.

5One Lord, one faith, one baptism.

6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.

7But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ.

11And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors,

12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13Until we all meet into the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ;

2

Psalm

Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5

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.

19:2The heavens show forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.

3Day to day uttereth speech, and night to night shows knowledge.

4There are no speeches nor languages, where their voices are not heard.

5Their sound has gone forth into all the earth: and their words to the ends of the world.

3

Gospel

Matthew 9:9-13

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.

9:9And when Jesus passed on from from here, he saw a man sitting in the custom house, named Matthew; and he says to him: Follow me. And he rose up and followed him.

10And it happened as he was sitting at food in the house, look many tax collectors and sinners came, and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.

11And the Pharisees seeing it, said to his disciples: Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?

12But Jesus hearing it, said: Those who are in health need not a physician, but those who are ill.

13Go then and learn what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

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.

1

First Reading

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13

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.

2

Psalm

Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5

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.

3

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.

4

Gospel

Matthew 9:9-13

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.

5

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 September 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.

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.