Daily readings

Tuesday, December 15, 2026

Tuesday of the 3rd week of Advent. Advent. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.

CelebrationTuesday of the 3rd week of Advent

TypeWeekday

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.

On-site scripture text: Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition. 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.

1

First Reading

Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13

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.

1Sorrow to the provoking, and rescued city, the dove.

2She has not hearkened to the voice, neither has she received discipline: she has not trusted in the Lord, she drew not near to her God.

9Because then I will restore to the people a chosen lip, that all may call upon the name of the Lord, and may serve him with one shoulder.

10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, shall my suppliants the children of my dispersed people bring me an offering.

11In that day you shall not be ashamed for all your doings, in which you have transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of you your proud boasters, and you shall no more be lifted up because of my holy mountain.

12And I will leave in the midst of you a poor and needy people: and they shall hope in the name of the Lord.

13The remnant of Israel shall not do sin, nor speak lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed, and shall lie down, and there shall be none to make them afraid.

2

Psalm

Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23

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.

2I will bless the Lord always, his praise shall be always in my mouth.

3In the Lord shall my soul be praised: let the gentle hear and rejoice.

6Come you to him and be enlightened: and your faces shall not be put to shame.

7This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him: and saved him out of all his troubles.

17But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil things: to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

18The righteous cried, and the Lord heard them: and rescued them out of all their troubles.

3

Gospel

Matthew 21:28-32

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.

28But what think you? A certain man had two sons; and coming to the first, he said: Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

29And he answering, said: I will not. But afterwards, being moved with repentance, he went.

30And coming to the other, he said in like manner. And he answering, said: I go, Sir; and he went not.

31Which of the two did the father's will? They say to him: The first. Jesus says to them: Amen I say to you, that the tax collectors and the harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you.

32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and the harlots believed him: but you, seeing it, did not even afterwards repent, that you might believe him.

Source note

This page uses the Catholic Readings API for the day's references and liturgical celebration data, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from the public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible distributed through the Open Bibles project.