Daily readings

Sunday, October 18, 2026

29th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Ordinary Time. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

Celebration29th Sunday of Ordinary Time

TypeSunday

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.

First Reading

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

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.

1Thus says the Lord to my anointed Cyrus, whose right hand I have taken hold of, to subdue nations before his face, and to turn the backs of kings, and to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut.

4For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my elect, I have even called you by your name: I have made a likeness of you, and you have not known me.

5I am the Lord, and there is none else: there is no God, besides me: I girded you, and you have not known me:

6That they may know who are from the rising of the sun, and they who are from the west, that there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is none else:

Psalm

Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10

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.

1A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing you to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the earth.

3Declare his glory among the Gentiles: his wonders among all people.

4For the Lord is great, and exceedingly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

5For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens.

7Bring you to the Lord, OH you kindreds of the Gentiles, bring you to the Lord glory and honour:

8bring to the Lord glory to his name. Bring up sacrifices, and come into his courts:

9adore you the Lord in his holy court. Let all the earth be moved at his presence.

10Say you among the Gentiles, the Lord has reigned. For he has corrected the world, which shall not be moved: he will judge the people with righteousness.

Second Reading

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b

How to read it

This reading often teaches Christians how to live with steadiness, charity, and faith. Look for one clear encouragement or warning you can carry into the day.

Full on-site text is not available for this reference yet, so use the reference above and the official link below.

Gospel

Matthew 22:15-21

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.

15Then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to insnare him in his speech.

16And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that you art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest you for any man: for you do not regard the person of men.

17Tell us therefore what do you think, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

18But Jesus knowing their evil, said: Why do you tempt me, you hypocrites?

19Show me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny.

20And Jesus says to them: Whose image and inscription is this?

21They say to him: Caesar's. Then he says to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God, the things that are God's.

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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.