How the daily Mass readings work — and how to find today's Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle, and Gospel.
The official daily Catholic Mass readings are published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB):
The Catholic Mass follows a fixed lectionary cycle established by the Second Vatican Council (1969) and revised in 1981. The cycle is designed to expose the faithful to most of Scripture across a multi-year rotation.
Sundays are on a three-year cycle (Years A, B, C). Weekdays are on a two-year cycle (Years I and II) for the first reading; the Gospel cycle for weekdays is the same each year.
Each Sunday Mass has four readings: Old Testament, Responsorial Psalm, New Testament epistle, and Gospel. Weekday Masses have three: a single reading (Old Testament or epistle), a psalm, and the Gospel.
| Cycle | Primary Gospel | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Year A | Matthew | 2026-2027 (next) |
| Year B | Mark | 2027-2028 |
| Year C | Luke | 2025-2026 (current) |
The Gospel of John is read during major seasons (Advent, Easter, Lent) across all three years rather than in a dedicated year.
The Catholic liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent (late November) and progresses through seven major seasons:
4 Sundays before Christmas
Preparing for Christ's coming
Dec 25 – baptism of the Lord
The Incarnation
After Christmas to Ash Wednesday
Christ's early ministry
Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday
Repentance and conversion
Palm Sunday to Easter Vigil
Christ's passion, death, resurrection
50 days through Pentecost
The Resurrection
After Pentecost to Advent
The Christian life
On Sundays during Easter, this reading is from Acts. The rest of the year it is from the Old Testament — often selected to relate thematically to the day's Gospel.
A psalm (or canticle) chosen to respond to the first reading. The congregation typically sings a recurring response after each verse, led by a cantor. Browse the Psalms →
On Sundays and major feasts, an additional reading from the New Testament epistles or Revelation. This reading runs semi-continuously through a particular book over several Sundays.
A short Alleluia and verse (during Lent, the Alleluia is replaced with another acclamation) preparing the congregation for the Gospel proclamation.
The most important reading — the words and deeds of Jesus Christ from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. The congregation stands. On Sundays the Gospel rotates through Years A (Matthew), B (Mark), and C (Luke).
The official daily readings are published at usccb.org/bible/readings. Catholic Mass readings include an Old Testament reading, Responsorial Psalm, optional New Testament epistle (Sundays), and Gospel.
The Roman Lectionary, revised after Vatican II (1969), sets the readings. Sundays follow a three-year cycle (Years A, B, C); weekdays follow a two-year cycle. Year A emphasizes Matthew, Year B Mark, Year C Luke; John is read during major seasons throughout.
A psalm sung between the first reading and the second reading, with a recurring response by the congregation. The psalm is chosen to relate thematically to the day's first reading.
Because the Roman Lectionary sets a universal cycle — every Catholic parish in communion with Rome reads the same Scripture on the same day around the world. This is one expression of Catholic unity: a billion Catholics hearing the same Gospel at Sunday Mass.