Daily readings

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

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

CelebrationWednesday 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.

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 October 21, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Wednesday October 21, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Ephesians 3:2-12, psalm Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Luke 12:39-48.

What is the Gospel for Wednesday October 21, 2026?

The Gospel for Wednesday October 21, 2026 is Luke 12:39-48. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Wednesday October 21, 2026?

The psalm for Wednesday October 21, 2026 is Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6. 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 October 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 3:2-12

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.

3:2If yet you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me towards you:

3How that, according to revelation, the mystery has been made known to me, as I have written above in a few words;

4As you reading, may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ,

5Which in other generations was not known to the people, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit:

6That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and co-partners of his promise in Christ Jesus, by the gospel:

7Of which I am made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God, which is given to me according to the operation of his power:

8To me, the least of all the saints, is given this grace, to preach among the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ,

9And to enlighten all men, that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery which has been hidden from eternity in God, who created all things:

10That the manifold wisdom of God may be made known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places through the church,

11According to the eternal purpose, which he made, in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

2

Psalm

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

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.

12:2Look, God is my saviour, I will deal confidently, and will not fear: O because the Lord is my strength, and my praise, and he is become my salvation.

3You shall draw waters with joy out of the saviour's fountains:

4And you shall say in that day: Praise you the Lord, and call upon his name: make his works known among the people: remember that his name is high.

5Sing you to the Lord, for he has done great things: show this forth in all the earth.

6Rejoice, and praise, O you habitation of Sion: for great is he that is in the midst of you, the Holy One of Israel.

3

Gospel

Luke 12:39-48

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.

12:39But this know you, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open.

40Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of Man will come.

41And Peter said to him: Lord, do you speak this parable to us, or likewise to all?

42And the Lord said: Who (thinkest you) is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord setteth over his family, to give them their measure of wheat in due season?

43Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come, he shall find so doing.

44Truly I say to you, he will set him over all that he possesseth.

45But if that servant shall say in his heart: My lord is long a coming; and shall begin to strike the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and to drink and be drunk:

46The lord of that servant will come in the day that he hopeth not, and at the hour that he knows not, and shall separate him, and shall appoint him his share with unbelievers.

47And that servant who knew the will of his lord, and prepared not himself, and did not according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48But he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And to whomever much is given, of him much shall be required: and to whom they have committed much, of him they will demand the more.

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 3:2-12

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

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

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

Luke 12:39-48

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 Wednesday October 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.