Daily readings

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

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

CelebrationTuesday of the 29th week of Ordinary Time

TypeWeekday

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 Tuesday October 20, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Tuesday October 20, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Ephesians 2:12-22, psalm Psalm 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Luke 12:35-38.

What is the Gospel for Tuesday October 20, 2026?

The Gospel for Tuesday October 20, 2026 is Luke 12:35-38. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Tuesday October 20, 2026?

The psalm for Tuesday October 20, 2026 is Psalm 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14. 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 Tuesday October 20, 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

Ephesians 2:12-22

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.

2:12That you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the conversation of Israel, and strangers to the testament, having no hope of the promise, and without God in this world.

13But now in Christ Jesus, you, who some time were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14For he is our peace, who has made both one, and breaking down the middle wall of partition, the enmities in his flesh:

15Making void the law of commands contained in commands; that he might make the two in himself into one new man, making peace;

16And might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, killing the enmities in himself.

17And coming, he preached peace to you that were afar off, and peace to them that were nigh.

18For by him we have access both in one Spirit to the Father.

19Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners; but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and the domestics of God,

20Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone:

21In whom all the building, being framed together, groweth up into an holy temple in the Lord.

22In whom you also are built together into an habitation of God in the Spirit.

Psalm

Psalm 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14

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.

85:9I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me: for he will speak peace to his people: And to his saints: and to them that are converted to the heart.

10Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him: that glory may dwell in our land.

11Mercy and truth have met each other: righteousness and peace have kissed.

12Truth is sprung out of the earth: and righteousness has looked down from heaven.

13For the Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.

14Righteousness shall walk before him: and shall set his steps in the way.

Gospel

Luke 12:35-38

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.

12:35Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands.

36And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he comes and knocketh, they may open to him immediately.

37Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he comes, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them sit down to food, and passing will minister to them.

38And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

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

Ephesians 2:12-22

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 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14

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 12:35-38

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 Tuesday October 20, 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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Wednesday, October 21, 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.