Daily readings

Friday, December 4, 2026

Saint John Damascene, Priest and Doctor. Advent. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint John Damascene, Priest and Doctor

TypeOptional Memorial

SeasonAdvent

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.

Back to the Mass Guide Order of the Mass What to Say at Mass

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 Friday December 4, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Friday December 4, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Isaiah 29:17-24, psalm Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 9:27-31.

What is the Gospel for Friday December 4, 2026?

The Gospel for Friday December 4, 2026 is Matthew 9:27-31. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Friday December 4, 2026?

The psalm for Friday December 4, 2026 is Psalm 27:1, 4, 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 Friday December 4, 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 29:17-24

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.

29:17Is it not yet a very little while, and Libanus shall be turned into charmel, and charmel shall be esteemed as a forest?

18And in that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and out of darkness and obscurity the eyes of the blind shall see.

19And the gentle shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

20For he that did prevail has failed, the scorner is destroyed, and they are all cut off that watched for sin:

21That made men sin by word, and supplanted him that reproved them in the gate, and declined in vain from the righteous.

22Therefore thus says the Lord to the house of Jacob, he that redeemed Abraham: Jacob shall not now be put to shame, neither shall his face now be ashamed:

23But when he shall see his children, the work of my hands in the midst of him sanctifying my name, and they shall sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall glorify the God of Israel:

24And those who erred in spirit, shall know understanding, and those who murmured, shall learn the law.

Psalm

Psalm 27:1, 4, 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.

27:1The psalm of David before he was anointed. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?

4One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. That I may see the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple.

13I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

14Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let your heart take courage, and wait you for the Lord.

Gospel

Matthew 9:27-31

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.

9:27And as Jesus passed from from there, there followed him two blind men crying out and saying, Have mercy on us, O Son of David.

28And when he was come to the house, the blind men came to him. And Jesus says to them, Do you believe, that I can do this to you? They say to him, Yea, Lord.

29Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith, be it done to you.

30And their eyes were opened, and Jesus strictly charged them, saying, See that no man know this.

31But they going out, spread his fame abroad in all that country.

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 29:17-24

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 27:1, 4, 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

Matthew 9:27-31

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 Friday December 4, 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.

Browse this year Mass guide Order of the Mass

Move through the calendar

Previous day

Thursday, December 3, 2026

Hub

Mass readings hub

Open today's readings, look up another date, or jump into a year archive.

Next day

Saturday, December 5, 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.