Daily readings

Monday, December 14, 2026

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

CelebrationSaint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor

TypeMemorial

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.

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 Monday December 14, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Monday December 14, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a, psalm Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 21:23-27.

What is the Gospel for Monday December 14, 2026?

The Gospel for Monday December 14, 2026 is Matthew 21:23-27. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Monday December 14, 2026?

The psalm for Monday December 14, 2026 is Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9. 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 Monday December 14, 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

Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a

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.

24:2And lifting up his eyes, he saw Israel abiding in their tents by their tribes: and the spirit of God rushing upon him,

3He took up his parable and said: Balaam the son of Beor has said: The man has said, whose eye ire stopped up:

4The hearer of the words of God has said, the one who has saw the vision of the Almighty, he that falleth, and so his eyes are opened:

5How beautiful are your tabernacles, O Jacob, and your tents, O Israel!

6As woody valleys, as watered gardens near the rivers, as tabernacles which the Lord has pitched, as cedars by the waterside.

7Water shall flow out of his bucket, and his offspring shall be in many waters. For Agag his king shall be removed, and his kingdom shall be taken awry.

15Therefore taking up his parable, again he said: Balaam the son of Beor has said: The man whose eye is stopped up, has said:

16The hearer of the words of God has said, who knows the teaching of the Highest, and sees the visions of the Almighty, who falling has his eyes opened:

17I shall see him, but not now: I shall look him, but not near. A STAR SHALL RISE out of Jacob and a sceptre shall spring up from Israel: and shall strike the chiefs of Moab, and shall waste all the children of Seth.

2

Psalm

Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9

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.

25:4Let all them be put to shame that act unjust things without cause. Show, O Lord, your ways to me, and teach me your paths.

5Direct me in your truth, and teach me; for you are God my Saviour; and on you have I waited all the day long.

6Remember, O Lord, your bowels of compassion; and your mercies that are from the start of the world.

7The sins of my youth and my ignorances do not remember. According to your mercy remember you me: for your goodness' sake, O Lord.

8The Lord is sweet and righteous: therefore he will give a law to sinners in the way.

9He will guide the mild in judgment: he will teach the gentle his ways.

3

Gospel

Matthew 21:23-27

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.

21:23And when he was come into the temple, there came to him, as he was teaching, the chief priests and leaders of the people, saying: By what authority do you these things? and who has given you this authority?

24Jesus answering, said to them: I also will ask you one word, which if you shall tell me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.

25The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? But they thought within themselves, saying:

26If we shall say, from heaven, he will say to us: Why then did you not believe him? But if we shall say, from men, we are afraid of the crowd: for all held John as a prophet.

27And answering Jesus, they said: We know not. He also said to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

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

Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a

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

Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9

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

Matthew 21:23-27

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 Monday December 14, 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.