Daily readings

Tuesday, December 29, 2026

Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr. Christmas. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr

TypeOptional Memorial

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.

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 29, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Tuesday December 29, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading 1 John 2:3-11, psalm Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Luke 2:22-35.

What is the Gospel for Tuesday December 29, 2026?

The Gospel for Tuesday December 29, 2026 is Luke 2:22-35. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Tuesday December 29, 2026?

The psalm for Tuesday December 29, 2026 is Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6. 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 29, 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 2:3-11

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.

2:3And by this we know that we have known him, if we keep his commands.

4He who says that he knows him, and keepeth not his commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5But he that keepeth his word, in him in very deed the charity of God is perfected; and by this we know that we are in him.

6He that says he remains in him, ought himself also to walk, even as he walked.

7Dearly beloved, I write not a new command to you, but an old command which you had from the start. The old command is the word which you have heard.

8Again a new command I write to you, which thing is true both in him and in you; because the darkness is passed, and the true light now shineth.

9He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10He that loves his brother, remains in the light, and there is no scandal in him.

11But he that hates his brother, is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and knows not whither he goes; because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

2

Psalm

Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6

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.

96:1A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing you to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2Sing you to the Lord and bless his name: show forth his salvation from day to day.

3Declare his glory among the Gentiles: his wonders among all people.

5For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens.

6Praise and beauty are before him: holiness and majesty in his sanctuary.

3

Gospel

Luke 2:22-35

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.

2:22And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:

23As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:

24And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons:

25And look there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.

26And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

27And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,

28He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:

29Now you do dismiss your servant, O Lord, according to your word in peace;

30Because my eyes have seen your salvation,

31Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples:

32A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.

33And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were said concerning him.

34And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Look this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted;

35And your own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

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 2:3-11

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 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6

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

Luke 2:22-35

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 Tuesday December 29, 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.