Daily readings

Tuesday, December 15, 2026

Tuesday of the 3rd week of Advent. Advent. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

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.

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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 December 15, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Tuesday December 15, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13, psalm Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 21:28-32.

What is the Gospel for Tuesday December 15, 2026?

The Gospel for Tuesday December 15, 2026 is Matthew 21:28-32. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Tuesday December 15, 2026?

The psalm for Tuesday December 15, 2026 is Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23. 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 December 15, 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

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.

3:1Sorrow to the provoking, and redeemed 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.

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.

34:2I 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.

19The Lord is nigh to them that are of a sorry heart: and he will save the humble of spirit.

23The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall offend.

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.

21:28But 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.

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

Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13

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

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 21:28-32

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 December 15, 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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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.