Daily readings

Sunday, October 18, 2026

29th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Ordinary Time. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

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.

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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 Sunday October 18, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Sunday October 18, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Isaiah 45:1, 4-6, psalm Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10, second reading 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b,and Gospel Matthew 22:15-21.

What is the Gospel for Sunday October 18, 2026?

The Gospel for Sunday October 18, 2026 is Matthew 22:15-21. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Sunday October 18, 2026?

The psalm for Sunday October 18, 2026 is Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10. 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 Sunday October 18, 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

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.

45:1Thus 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.

96:1A 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, O 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.

1:1Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy: to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ.

2Grace be to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all; making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing,

3Being mindful of the work of your faith, and work, and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father:

4Knowing, brothers and sisters beloved of God, your election:

5For our gospel has not been to you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.

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.

22:15Then 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 are 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.

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

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

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

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

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b

The second reading is usually taken from the New Testament letters or Revelation. It helps connect the day’s proclamation to Christian life in the Church.

Gospel

Matthew 22:15-21

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 Sunday October 18, 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.