Daily readings

Monday, December 28, 2026

Holy Innocents, Martyrs. Christmas. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationHoly Innocents, Martyrs

TypeFeast

SeasonChristmas

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 Monday December 28, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Monday December 28, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading 1 John 1:5—2:2, psalm Psalm 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 2:13-18.

What is the Gospel for Monday December 28, 2026?

The Gospel for Monday December 28, 2026 is Matthew 2:13-18. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Monday December 28, 2026?

The psalm for Monday December 28, 2026 is Psalm 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8. 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 28, 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

1 John 1:5—2:2

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.

1:5And this is the declaration which we have heard from him, and declare to you: That God is light, and in him there is no darkness.

6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.

7But if we walk in the light, as he also is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all sin.

10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2:1My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. But if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

2

Psalm

Psalm 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8

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.

124:2Look as the eyes of the servants are on the hands of their masters, As the eyes of the servant are on the hands of her mistress: so are our eyes to the Lord our God, until he have mercy on us.

3Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us: for we are greatly satisfied with disgrace.

4For our soul is greatly satisfied: we are a shame to the rich, and disgrace to the proud.

3

Gospel

Matthew 2:13-18

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.

2:13And after they were departed, look an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell you. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him.

14Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod:

15That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.

16Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceeding angry; and sending killed all the men children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

17Then was fulfilled that which was said by Jeremias the prophet, saying:

18A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

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

1 John 1:5—2:2

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 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8

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 2:13-18

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 28, 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.