Daily readings

Wednesday, December 16, 2026

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

CelebrationWednesday 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 Wednesday December 16, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Wednesday December 16, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Isaiah 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25, psalm Psalm 85:9ab, 10, 11-12, 13-14, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Luke 7:18b-23.

What is the Gospel for Wednesday December 16, 2026?

The Gospel for Wednesday December 16, 2026 is Luke 7:18b-23. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Wednesday December 16, 2026?

The psalm for Wednesday December 16, 2026 is Psalm 85:9ab, 10, 11-12, 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 Wednesday December 16, 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 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25

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.

45:6That they may know who are from the rising of the sun, and they who are from the west, that there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is none else:

7I form the light, and create darkness, I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord that do all these things.

8Drop down dew, you heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the righteous: let the earth be opened, and bud forth a saviour: and let righteousness spring up together: I the Lord have created him.

18For thus says the Lord that created the heavens, God himself that formed the earth, and made it, the very maker thereof: he did not create it in vain: he formed it to be inhabited. I am the Lord, and there is no other.

21Tell you, and come, and consult together: who has told this from the start, who has foretold this from that time? Have not I the Lord, and there is no God else besides me? A righteous God and a saviour, there is none besides me.

22Be converted to me, and you shall be saved, all you ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is no other.

23I have sworn by myself, the word of righteousness shall go out of my mouth, and shall not return:

24For every knee shall be bowed to me, and every tongue shall swear.

25Therefore shall he say: In the Lord are my justices and empire: they shall come to him, and all that resist him shall be put to shame.

Psalm

Psalm 85:9ab, 10, 11-12, 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.

85:9I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me: for he will speak peace to his people: And to his saints: and to them that are converted to the heart.

10Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him: that glory may dwell in our land.

11Mercy and truth have met each other: righteousness and peace have kissed.

12Truth is sprung out of the earth: and righteousness has looked down from heaven.

13For the Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.

14Righteousness shall walk before him: and shall set his steps in the way.

Gospel

Luke 7:18b-23

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.

7:18And John's disciples told him of all these things.

19And John called to him two of his disciples, and sent them to Jesus, saying: Art you he that art to come; or look we for another?

20And when the men were come to him, they said: John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying: Art you he that art to come; or look we for another?

21(And in that same hour, he cured many of their diseases, and hurts, and evil spirits: and to many that were blind he gave sight.)

22And answering, he said to them: Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, to the poor the gospel is preached:

23And blessed is he whoever shall not be scandalized in me.

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 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25

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 85:9ab, 10, 11-12, 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

Luke 7:18b-23

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 Wednesday December 16, 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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Thursday, December 17, 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.