Reflections on Daily Readings 2026
November 1st - November 28th, 2026
November 1 – November 7, 2026
31st Week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle A; Weekday Cycle 2.
Solemnity of All Saints
Apocalypse 7:2-4, 9-14; Psalm 23; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12
In the reading from the Book of the Apocalypse the author speaks of the faithful who have died and are now radiant in the presence of God in heaven. They are radiant because their robes have been washed in the blood of the Lamb who is our redeemer. Before the final judgement all those who have been faithful will be given a seal on their forehead as the Jews sealed their doorposts on Passover night. In our second reading St John asks us to think of the love which God has lavished on us – a love which allows us to be called the sons and daughters of God and therefore grants us a place in heaven with God. For John, this means that anybody who thinks of this would automatically try to purify themselves and try to live up to this great gift and grace. In the gospel, we have Christ’s tremendous blueprint for Christian living – the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount – which has the power to transform our world but only if people live out that teaching in their lives. These readings are apt for today’s feast because the saints did live out the Beatitudes and did recognise and appreciate the great love which God lavished on them and so lived their lives in such a way that people could see the love of God in their midst. As a result, the saints – who were living, breathing human beings like each and every one of us – now enjoy the beatific vision in the eternal kingdom.
Solemn Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 26; Romans 5:5-11; Matthew 11:25-30 or Mark 15:33-39, 16:1-6
In our first reading from the Prophet Isaiah we read that the Lord of hosts will destroy Death for ever. We know that Christ has triumphed over death and yet people still die. What is important for us to keep in mind is that while our earthly body may die our soul does not. It lives on and the banquet which Isaiah speaks about takes place in heaven. In the second reading St Paul tells us that we have been saved by Christ who died for us even while we were still sinning. This is the hope that we should have and if we live according to that hope then we will all be reunited in the kingdom where death has no power. In the gospel text from St Matthew we see Jesus praising the Father in heaven for revealing the mysteries to children rather than to the learned and the clever. The text concludes with Jesus calling to him all those who are overburdened. Matthew is reminding us that the way of Christ is a way of fulfilment at the end of which is eternal life and a time of rest which will never end. Only if we trust God like little children and act accordingly can we enter the kingdom of heaven. In the alternative gospel passage from St Mark we read of the death of Christ which is a moment of great despair for his mother and for the disciples. But in the second part there is a very obvious contrast because we now see the Risen Lord and so we are filled with great hope. Christ, who was human, has been raised from the dead and through his resurrection we too have the promise of resurrection and eternal life. Today in a very special way we pray for all who have died but we do so in hope – hope of the resurrection which has been promised to each one of us and to all who have died.
Any of the readings from amongst those from the Lectionary for the Dead may be used today.
The Thirty-first Tuesday in Ordinary Time
Philippians 2:5-11; Psalm 21; Luke 14:15-24
In our first reading from the letter to the Christians at Philippi, we have one of the most beautiful passages in Sacred Scripture in which St Paul speaks about how much Christ gave up in order to become one like us. Given his great sacrifice how can we fail to make sacrifices which are as nothing in comparison to his? In the Gospel, we have the parable of the man who gave a great banquet but whose original guests did not show up. He then gave his invite to others and they came. The message of Christ was first given to the Jews but they did not accept it so it was preached to the Gentiles and the pagans. Therefore all peoples have an invite to the eternal banquet of heaven.
The Thirty-first Wednesday in Ordinary Time
Philippians 2:12-18; Psalm 26; Luke 14:25-33
St Paul exhorts us in the first reading from the letter to the Philippians to keep the faith and to continue working for the building up of the kingdom. Paul stresses how important it is that the pagans in the town of Philippi should see a powerful example of Christian living demonstrated by the Christian community. Paul also speaks about the possibility of his dying for the faith which he embraces with joy. In the Gospel, Christ calls us to give up our possessions in order to be true followers of his. While we do need certain things to live we do not need to be so attached to them that we cannot live without them or that they block Christ from our lives. Christ must be the one and only possession in life that we long and strive for.
The Thirty-first Thursday in Ordinary Time
Philippians 3:3-8; Psalm 104; Luke 15:1-10
St Paul speaks about how perfect a Jew he himself was before his conversion. However his former standing as a Jew is often a disadvantage because people are not always ready to accept that he is now a true Christian. If we want to be accepted as true Christians then we must convert today and not continue in our sinful ways. Christ tells us in the Gospel that there is more rejoicing in heaven over the conversion of a sinner than for the right living of the virtuous. The virtuous are doing no more than is expected of them while the repentant sinner has come to accept the word of God and make it the guiding light in their life.
Memorial of St Nuno Alvares Pereira, Carmelite
Nuno Alvares Pereira was born in 1360 near Crato in central Portugal. He became a soldier and rose through the ranks becoming the champion of Portuguese independence. He was most decisive in ensuring Portuguese independence from the kingdom of Castile between 1383 and 1385, for which he was named Protector and Constable of Portugal. He married at the age of sixteen and his wife gave birth to three children, the two boys dying early in life. After his wife had died, Nuno joined the Carmelites in 1423 and entered the Carmo Convent in Lisbon (which he himself had founded in fulfilment of a vow, one of several churches and monasteries he had built). In religious life he remained a favourite of the king and the royal court who would not allow him to give up all his possessions or titles (he was Count of all three countdoms in the kingdom). Devoted to Our Lady, he took the religious name Brother Nuno of St Mary and lived in the Carmo until his death in 1431. He was canonized in 2009.
Feast of All the Saints of Ireland
Ecclesiastes 44:1-5; Psalm 14; Luke 6:17-23
The first reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes calls on us to praise illustrious men and then lists those who have held positions in society and who are remembered for their great and noble works. But in the last section it speaks of generous men and those who kept the covenants and handed them on to their children. Today we praise those Irish people who kept the faith which was handed on to them and for which they are now counted among the Communion of Saints, though their names have long since been forgotten. In the gospel, we have Luke’s account of the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes in which Christ is promising the kingdom to those who are poor in spirit. Those who live by the Beatitudes are those who will inherit the kingdom and be counted among the Communion of Saints.
The Thirty-first Saturday in Ordinary Time
Philippians 4:10-19; Psalm 111; Luke 16:9-15
In our closing section today from his letter to the Christians at Philippi, St Paul thanks the Philippians for their generosity to him and he tells them that their account in heaven is increasing because in helping him they are also helping in the spread of the Gospel. He also tells them that he can overcome anything because he has the help of God on his side. In the Gospel, Christ calls us to make God and heaven the only things that matter to us in life. Like the Philippians we are to help in the spread of the Gospel in any way we can and that begins with the strengthening of our own faith in Christ and the Resurrection.
November 8 – November 14, 2026
32nd Week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle A; Weekday Cycle 2.
The Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wisdom 6:12-16; Psalm 62; 1Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13
Our first reading from the Book of Wisdom speaks about wisdom and how it is to be found by those who seek her. We know that Christ is the Wisdom of God and those who seek him will find him. As the first reading speaks of seeking wisdom so the Psalm speaks of seeking God. The gospel reminds us that we do not know when the Lord will call us from this life and so we must always be ready, not like the foolish bridesmaids in the parable who forget to bring extra oil for their lamps and who were left out of the banquet.
In the second reading, St Paul tells us that those who have died in Christ have gone to God and therefore we should not grieve for them. This promise is also made to us but only if we die in Christ.
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Psalm 45; 1Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17; John 2:13-22
In the first reading from Ezekiel we read how a stream flowed from the Temple and gave life in abundance wherever it flowed. If we look at the distance from the Temple as a timeline then we see that over time the river grows to become a great torrent with the Temple being Christ. What is in the river could be seen as the members of the Church and what is on the banks as those who come into contact with members of the Church. Whether the people be in the river or on the bank, all receive life from the river. In the second reading St Paul reminds us that we are all God’s temple through the Spirit which has been given to us and therefore we must preserve this temple and strengthen it in the faith. The Temple is not just a stone building but it is each and every one of us who has God within them. In the gospel we see Jesus driving out of the Temple those who had dishonoured it. The Church is the house of God and it is the source of life for us and that is what we celebrate today. It is our duty to build up the Church of God – the church within each of us and the church as the unity and gathering of all who believe in Christ.
The Thirty-second Tuesday in Ordinary Time
Titus 2:1-8, 11-14; Psalm 36; Luke 17:7-10
St Paul speaks in the first reading from his letter to St Titus about how we should behave and act as Christians. We do this because of the glory which we are awaiting and which will be given us by Christ, though we do not know when. Paul also reminds Titus that the example of his own life in Crete will be very important for the growth of the faith there. The Psalm continues Paul’s theme. We are reminded by Christ in the Gospel that we are servants of God and that really we should not expect praise for living as Christians because, in so living, we are simply doing our duty. Yet there are those who do it simply to earn the praise of others and the Lord knows this and will not accept it.
The Thirty-second Wednesday in Ordinary Time
Titus 3:1-7; Psalm 22; Luke 17:11-19
St Paul continues to offer us a blueprint for living in the first reading from his letter to St Titus – his appointed leader of the Christian community in Crete. He also tells us that it was the compassion of God which saved us and nothing we ourselves had done when he sent his Son in to the world. We have the story of the ten lepers in our Gospel passage for today. Only one man returned to thank Christ for the gift of health which Christ had given him and by this act of faith he was saved. How often do we stop to thank God for all that we have received? The greatest act of thanksgiving we could make would be to live righteously in keeping with the Gospel.
The Thirty-second Thursday in Ordinary Time
Philemon 7-20; Psalm 145; Luke 17:20-25
Our last section from St Paul this year comes from his letter to Philemon, a young well-to-do Christian who is a close friend of Paul, about Onesimus – Philemon’s slave. He is asking Philemon to receive Onesimus back – not as a slave – but as a brother. Whatever our status or our role in life we are all brothers and sisters in the Gospel and equal in the eyes of the Lord. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the Pharisees that the kingdom is already with them though they have failed to see or realise it. He also tells his disciples that he is to suffer and be rejected. Still today, he suffers and is rejected when people reject his Gospel and his Church.
The Thirty-second Friday in Ordinary Time
2 John 4-9; Psalm 118; Luke 17:26-37
Today we turn from the letters of St Paul to the second letter of St John to an unknown Christian community. In the text, John reminds us of the great commandment to love one another. We are also told to be wary of those who teach a false gospel – all we need is to be found in the Gospel we have already received. We are reminded by Christ in the Gospel text from St Luke, that we know not when our time will come to an end and that we, like Noah and Lot, must heed the word of God today and be converted.
All Carmelite Saints
Readings:
Romans 8:28-35, 37-39; Psalm 23; Matthew 5:1-12
Today we remember all those members of the Carmelite Family whose heroic lives have pointed the way to heaven for us and who have been recognised as saints and blesseds. Our first reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans speaks of how God wants all people to become true images of his own divine Son. All those he intends for this have been called by him and with them he shares his glory. If we too believe then we will follow the example of how the saints lived their lives, in fidelity to the gospel message of Jesus Christ. In this way, we too will share the Father’s glory in eternity.
The Gospel text from St Matthew gives the account of the Sermon on the Mount, specifically the Beatitudes. The text reminds us that the Lord is with us and that those who suffer rejection, or humiliation, or even death, for the sake of the Kingdom will enjoy life in the Kingdom. Far from being downcast at being ill-treated for the sake of the Gospel, the people are to be happy because they will be rewarded for their faithfulness. The saints would have been aware of this text and would no doubt have taken great courage from its message and so have won the crown of righteousness.
November 15 – November 21, 2026
33rd Week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle A; Weekday Cycle 2
All Carmelite Souls
Readings:
Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12; Psalm 114; Matthew 25:31-46
Today we commemorate all those members of the Carmelite Family who have gone before us to their eternal reward. In our first reading from the letter to the Romans, St Paul reminds us that when we are called from this life each of us will have to stand before the Lord and give an account of our lives. We belong to the Lord and so we must live life accordingly, because in doing so we secure our entry to the Kingdom.
Our gospel today sees Jesus teaching his disciples about the judgement of God and takes up the same theme as the first reading. He tells them, as he tells us today, that those who do the will of God will enter and inherit the Kingdom of heaven, while those who refuse to reach out to their brothers and sisters in their need, will not enter the Kingdom for they have rejected God by their very rejection of others. If we too want to be part of the Kingdom, then we must reach out to others every day. There is a powerful reminder that Jesus Christ is to be found in every person we meet or encounter regardless of what we think of them or how they are presented to us.
The Thirty-third Monday in Ordinary Time
Apocalypse 1:1-4, 2:1-5; Psalm 1; Luke 18:35-43
For the final two weeks of the Church’s year we turn to the last book of the Bible – the Book of Apocalypse or Revelation – attributed to St John and put together between 70 and 95 AD. The book is written in a style common at the time of Christ and which the author addresses to seven Churches in what is today Turkey. In today’s text the Church in Ephesus is told that even though it worked hard for the faith it does not love as much as it did in the past. We are reminded that we cannot slip back to our old ways but must keep striving forward towards heaven. In our Gospel text Jesus gives sight to a blind man because the man had faith and asked to be cured. This is a reminder that if we have faith then we can ask anything of God and he will answer us.
The Thirty-third Tuesday in Ordinary Time
Apocalypse 3:1-6, 14-22; Psalm 14; Luke 19:1-10
In our first reading from the Book of the Apocalypse we see the Lord telling the Churches of Sardis and Laodicea that he knows them well. He recounts their good points but also points out their flaws – for those in Sardis it is their lack of perfection which displeases the Lord, while he accuses the Laodiceans of being lukewarm in the faith. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that he came to save those who were lost but, like Zacchaeus, they will only be saved if they wish to be saved. Were the Lord to look closely at each of us what flaws would he point out? More importantly, we must ask ourselves if we are willing to do what we can to eradicate those flaws and so enter the kingdom of heaven.
The Thirty-third Wednesday in Ordinary Time
Apocalypse 4:1-11; Psalm 150; Luke 19:11-28
In our first reading from the Book of the Apocalypse, or Revelation, the author writes of the glory of God and of the praise given him by the host of heaven. The four principle creatures have been seen as the four Evangelists and, indeed, the images found here are often used in art – the lion for Mark, the ox for Luke, the man for Matthew, and the eagle for John. This text was to give hope to those Christian communities who were being persecuted because of their faith. The Gospel today gives us the parable of the man who was to be made king and who gave money to three servants. The first two servants made a profit with the money entrusted to them and they were rewarded for this while the third man did nothing and was punished. The money can be seen as our faith which we have a duty to build up and to strengthen while also helping the growth of the faith in the world. Lip-service to the Lord will count for nothing.
The Thirty-third Thursday in Ordinary Time
Apocalypse 5:1-10; Psalm 149; Luke 19:41-44
We read in today’s passage from the Book of the Apocalypse that Christ – the Lamb who was sacrificed – has, by his blood, redeemed us from death and opened the way to salvation for us. In our Gospel text we see Jesus arriving at Jerusalem and he pauses before going in to the city. He pauses to weep at the stubbornness and the blindness of the people who have heard his teachings and seen his miracles and yet fail to see that he is their Messiah. Despite their rejection of him, Jesus still loves the people as he loves each one of us whether we wish to acknowledge that love or not.
The Thirty-third Friday in Ordinary Time
Apocalypse 10:8-11; Psalm 118; Luke 19:45-48
We continue to read of St John’s vision of heaven in our first reading from the Book of the Apocalypse. In eating the scroll given him by the angel, John is indicating that he has fully understood the message he has received (similar to the Prophet Ezekiel centuries before). The sweet taste of the scroll signifies the glory of heaven which awaits us, while the bitter taste represents the trials that we must go through before entering into the glory promised us. In the Gospel, Christ drives the money changers from the Temple and cleanses it. He then teaches the people every day in the Temple which infuriates the elders who wish to get rid of him. The people on the other hand, are so captivated by Christ’s preaching that the authorities are unable to act against him for the time being.
Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Zechariah 2:14-17; Psalm – Luke 1:46-55; Matthew 12:46-50
As is so often the case on memorials of Our Lady, the readings focus very much on her Divine Son. Today’s memorial is no different for the first reading sees the Lord telling us that he is coming to dwell in the midst of his people, and that he will make Jerusalem his very own. This reminds us of Christ who lived among the people and for whom Jerusalem was so important. In the gospel text we have the familiar story of Jesus being sought by his family. He tells the people that whoever does the will of God are his real family.
November 22 – November 28, 2026
34th Week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle A; Weekday Cycle 2.
To follow
To follow
Feast of St Columban, Abbot
Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 95; Luke 9:57-62
Our reading from the Prophet Isaiah speaks of how all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God and of how they will rejoice in that salvation. St Columban – as a monk and missionary – sought to bring that salvation to people by founding monasteries and teaching the people. The Psalm commands us to “proclaim the wonders of the Lord among all the peoples,” which is what Columban did. In the gospel passage from St Luke, we see some men telling Jesus that they will follow Jesus once they have taken care of certain things. However, Jesus tells them that they must follow him immediately. Columban did this even in the midst of difficulty. We are challenged today to be like Columban and to freely and readily go where the Lord leads and to spread his word in all we do and say.
The Thirty-fourth Tuesday in Ordinary Time
Apocalypse 14:14-19; Psalm 95; Luke 21:5-11
St John’s vision today tells of the harvesting of the earth which will take place at the end of time. Christ is the one who will reap the harvest of those who have been faithful to him. In the second analogy we see an angel placing the grapes of the unfaithful in to the winepress of God’s anger. In the Gospel, Christ foretells the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and also warns his followers to be on their guard against those who claim to be messiahs and who preach of impending doom. The Temple was the most important place for the Jews and any talk of its destruction was seen as heretical and, therefore, the message of Christ would have been seen in a very poor light in certain quarters.
The Thirty-fourth Wednesday in Ordinary Time
Apocalypse 15:1-4; Psalm 97; Luke 21:12-19
As we read from St John’s vision in our first reading we should be encouraged to praise God by the vision of the Christians who have led victorious lives for the faith and the Gospel. At the time that the book was written the early Christians were being persecuted by the Romans and so this book would have brought great consolation and encouragement for them. In our Gospel passage for today, Jesus warns his disciples that they will suffer for him and that through it all he will be with them to strengthen them and to protect them. This protection will be ours also if we are willing to stand up for and witness to the Lord.
The Thirty-fourth Thursday in Ordinary Time
Apocalypse 18:1-2, 21-23, 19:1-3, 9; Psalm 99; Luke 21:20-28
In our first reading we read St John’s vision of how Babylon – representing the city of Rome and the greatest city of evil – has been destroyed by God for its wickedness. At the end of the passage the assembly of heaven sings a hymn of praise for the punishment of the city and for the fact that God “judges fairly, he punishes justly.” Again in our Gospel from St Luke, Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and the scattering of the people for their lack of faith and perseverance. He says that there will be many signs – terrifying and frightening signs – but that will be the time to stand confidently for liberation will be near at hand.
The Thirty-fourth Friday in Ordinary Time
Apocalypse 20:1-4, 11-21:2; Psalm 83; Luke 21:29-33
In our first reading from Apocalypse (Revelation) we are told that the dead are judged by God according to what they did in life in terms of their faith. In order to be saved their names had to be written in the book of life. We are told about the 1,000 year reign of Christ at the end of which the dragon (Satan) would be set free for a short time. Some Christian-based groups of our own time – such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses – take this passage to be literally true and see the release of the dragon to be the great battle of Armageddon when sinful and unfaithful humans will be wiped out forever and only the righteous will live. Most Christian groups see the passage as an allegory to encourage the early Christians to remain faithful and to do all they can to ensure that their names will be found in the book of life. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that even if the earth and heaven pass away his words will remain for ever. As sure as the trees bud and flower in summer, his words will come to pass.
The Thirty-fourth Saturday in Ordinary Time
Apocalypse 22:1-7; Psalm 94; Luke 21:34-36
We conclude our liturgical year with part of the last chapter of St John’s vision in which we are told that at the end of time the saints will live in never-ending light because the Lord will be shining on them. This will take place in the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city. In our final Gospel text for this year, Christ reminds us to be always ready because we do not know when he will return and ask us to make an account of our lives. As this liturgical year ends our readings cause us to reflect on the end times and the beginnings of eternal life with God. As we prepare to begin a new liturgical year, perhaps this is a good time to reflect upon our own lives and so make preparations for our own end and entry to eternal life.
