Reflections on Daily Readings 2026
August 30 – September 26, 2026
August 30 – September 5, 2026
22nd Week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle A; Weekday Cycle 2.
The Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jeremiah 20:7-9; Psalm 62; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27
The Prophet Jeremiah in our first reading today is weary of proclaiming God’s word because all he gets for doing so is insult and derision. This is not because the words he speaks are foolish but because the people are stubborn and are too fond of doing their own thing without giving any thought to God, from whom all things come. In the gospel from St Matthew, Christ tells those closest to him that he is soon to die. St Peter tries to change their path but the Lord is not happy with this for the disciples have failed to understand what his mission is all about. He tells them that his true followers must be prepared to suffer for him and to live according to his teaching and not according to the mores of their contemporary society. Those who are faithful to him will be rewarded by him.
Almost as a support to Jeremiah, St Paul in the second reading to the Romans urges his readers to offer their very lives to God and to live as God wants them to live. He calls on them not to live as those around them do but to allow the power of God to transform them in to what he wants them to be.
Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Psalm 118; Luke 4:16-30
St Paul tells the Christians at Corinth today that he did not use big arguments and philosophy to prove that God exists. Instead he preached a crucified saviour and allowed the Holy Spirit to work in him. For the remainder of this liturgical year we read from St Luke’s Gospel and today we see Jesus preaching in his home synagogue in Nazareth (Nazara). Here he is rejected by the people because they think they know who he is and because they do not like his message. No matter who preaches or how they preach, the message of God is true and unchanging, but only with faith can the message have any impact in our lives.
Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 2:10-16; Psalm 144; Luke 4:31-37
St Paul tells us that the message of Christ is for all people but unless we have faith and are disposed towards the Holy Spirit then the message will have no impact on us. The Holy Spirit will work in the Christian to reveal the mysteries of God and to bring understanding and acceptance of the message of the Good News. An important point in today’s Gospel passage concerns the authority of Christ. He has authority over all things including unclean spirits and the servants of Satan. Unlike many of those around him, the unclean spirits recognise his power and authority as the Son of God and so obey him. We too will be subject to his judgement on the last day and so we must make every effort to be found worthy through faith and right living.
Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Psalm 32; Luke 4:38-44
We read in the first reading from St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians that no matter who first brings the faith to us or who later nourishes that faith within us that it is God who does the work. Those who bring the word to others and help them in their faith are fellow workers with God and we are all called to do this work. So there should be no factions aligning themselves with different preachers. In the Gospel text, Jesus cures many people before going on to other towns which displeases the people for they wanted to keep him for themselves. However he tells them that his message is for all people. As Christians we have a duty to spread Christ’s message to those whom we meet by what we do and say and not simply keep it to ourselves – this is one precious treasure which only grows through sharing.
Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 3:18-23; Psalm 23; Luke 5:1-11
St Paul tells us today that when it comes to Christ’s message it is foolish to pretend to be wise or to understand it all. If we apply too much learning to the message, or if we scrutinise it too much, we will miss the message completely. We need to approach it with an open mind and complete trust and confidence in God. In our Gospel we read of the call of Simon Peter along with James and John. Simon, because he acknowledged himself to be a sinner, did not want the Lord with him. But Christ still called him because he knew Simon’s potential just as he knows the potential of each one of us. Only when we truly acknowledge our weaknesses can we be true disciples for Christ.
Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Psalm 36; Luke 5:33-39
In today’s first reading St Paul is addressing a group in Corinth who had been judging his work of spreading the Good News. Paul tells them that it is not for them to be his judge – that is God’s role alone. He is happy that he has been God’s faithful servant and is happy to be judged by God. In the Gospel, the scribes and Pharisees rebuke Christ because his disciples did not fast. We fast in order to purify ourselves and bring ourselves closer to God. The disciples did not fast because they were in the presence of God.
Saturday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 4:6-15; Psalm 144; Luke 6:1-5
St Paul tells the community in Corinth in the first reading that status in life and material possessions are of no importance when compared with Christ’s message. He contrasts the selfish lives of some Christians in Corinth with the humiliating treatment of other Christians in Rome because of their belief in Christ. Paul’s treatment as “the scum of the earth” is something of joy for him because it comes from his steadfast faith in Christ. In the Gospel, the scribes and Pharisees are again questioning Jesus because his followers do not strictly observe the Sabbath and so he tells them that he is Master of the Sabbath. He is reminding us not to be so caught up with the minute details of the Law that we miss the true reason for the Sabbath and so miss out on a lasting relationship with the Lord.
September 6 – September 12, 2026
23rd Week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle A; Weekday Cycle 2.
The Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ezekiel 33:7-9; Psalm 94; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20
In the first reading from the Old Testament Prophet Ezekiel we are warned that if we do not try to turn the wicked from their ways then we will be held responsible for their punishment. This is a further reminder of our duty to spread the gospel. In the gospel for today, Christ echoes the words of Ezekiel that we must try to win people back to the right road to eternal life. He also reminds us that where we gather in his name, he will be there amongst us. The readings remind us today that we are a people who live in community and must therefore look after those in community with us. To help us in this we are also told in today’s gospel passage by Christ that he will be with us even if there are only two or three gathered in his name.
In the second reading from Romans, St Paul tells us that love is the root of everything. If we act out of love then we will always be able to keep the Commandments.
Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 5:1-8; Psalm 5; Luke 6:6-11
In the first reading today St Paul sternly rebukes the Corinthians for allowing sexual impropriety into their midst and for allowing pride to spoil them. There is a reminder in this that sin is not just a private thing but has a social dimension – what we do has an effect on the lives of others. Paul sternly calls the Corinthians to conversion, to return to the right path. Again in our Gospel today, we see the scribes and Pharisees trying to catch Jesus out on the Sabbath. However, he knows their thoughts and tells them that it is okay to do a good deed on the Sabbath. He then openly cures a man with a withered hand. We must keep all the commandments of God and not just our own interpretation of them. We should also never boast about being Christians but should boast about and proclaim the saving power of Christ.
Memorial of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Micah 5:1-4 or Romans 8:28-30; Psalm 12; Matthew 1:1-6, 18-23
Our readings today may seem rather odd for the memorial of our Lady’s birthday because they speak about the arrival of Christ. In the first reading from Micah we read that the saviour will arrive and then his people will live secure. In the gospel text from St Matthew we have the genealogy of Christ. But the readings do serve to remind us that if it wasn’t for the generosity of Mary in answering God’s call then Christ would not have been born and world history could have been very different. The memorial also serves to remind us that Mary was a human being just like us and that she had a birth just like us.
Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 7:25-31, Psalm 44; Luke 6:20-26
Today’s reading from St Paul to the Corinthians is a little unusual but he was writing to a group beset with scandals at a time when it was thought that the return of Christ was imminent. In any case the important message for us today is one of chaste living. Whether we be married or celibate – we must be faithful to our status in life. Paul was writing at a time which saw many heresies being preached and the one he is referring to today is that marriage was a sin. Today we read St Luke’s version of the Beatitudes, that radical blueprint for living which Christ taught his followers. To be true disciples we must strip away everything earthly from our lives and hunger for nothing but the word of God and the Kingdom.
Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 8:1-7, 11-13; Psalm 138; Luke 6:27-38
At the time that St Paul was writing his letters to the various Christian communities he had established, there was the common practise of offering meat and other sacrifices to gods and idols. This meat was often sold in the market afterwards and some of the early Christians believed that in eating this meat they were as good as taking part in the sacrifice themselves. Paul reminds the Corinthians that there are no gods and idols – only the one true God – and so these sacrifices and scruples are meaningless. But he warns the people about taking advantage of those who are not as wise as they are in such matters because in doing so they are injuring the Body of Christ and so weaken rather than strengthen it. Our Gospel is a continuation of the account of the Beatitudes in which Christ gives us some practical tips on how to live life properly as his followers. Above all he reminds us to be compassionate just as the Father is compassionate.
Friday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-27; Psalm 83; Luke 6:39-42
St Paul in our first reading talks of contestants in a competition who train for their event just so they can win a laurel wreath which withers. The wreath we are after is infinitely more valuable as it is the kingdom of heaven and so we must never become complacent but must always strive to attain that goal. In the Gospel, Christ tells us that before we help others we must first take care of ourselves. We are called to spread the Gospel but before we can do that we must acquaint ourselves with and believe in that Gospel.
Saturday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 10:14-22; Psalm 115; Luke 6:43-49
St Paul tells us today that because we share in the one body and blood of Christ we all form one body no matter how many of us there are. He also tells us that we either belong totally to Christ or to other idols – which today could be power, money, TV, etc. – but we cannot belong to both and so must decide between the two. If we opt for Christ then the Eucharist will be the sacrificial meal which strengthens our bond with Christ and with one another. In the Gospel, Jesus says something similar in that we cannot profess to be his followers and fail to fulfil his instructions. If we truly believe then we will act according to his will which is found in the Gospels.
September 13 – September 19, 2026
24th Week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle A; Weekday Cycle C.
The Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ecclesiasticus 27:30-28:7; Psalm 102; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35
Both the first reading and the gospel today speak of forgiveness. We are called on in both readings to remember the Covenants with God who forgave humankind again and again despite their sinful ways. The first reading from Ecclesiasticus opens by telling us that ‘resentment and anger … are foul things’ and that these have no place in our lives. In our gospel passage we have the parable of the wicked servant who – despite being pardoned by the king of his debt – refused to pardon a fellow servant who was in debt to him. There is a reminder for us that if we are to expect forgiveness from God and from others then we ourselves must forgive those who we perceive to have wronged us and we should never harbour resentment.
In the second reading St Paul tells us that we belong to God whether we are alive or dead. If we belong to the Lord then we should forgive much.
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 77; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17
The first reading from the Book of Numbers recalls how the people in the wilderness had complained against God. For their ungratefulness, the Lord sent serpents among the people to punish them. Moses fashioned a bronze serpent to save those who were bitten by the serpents. The second reading from the letter to the Philippians is one of the most beautiful passages in scripture for it tells us of how Christ humbled himself to become one of us in order to save us. Through his humility he was raised above all other creatures and won our salvation. In the gospel, Jesus tells us that he had to be raised high, just as Moses raised the serpent, so that all peoples may be saved and brought to eternal life. In the cross is our salvation and the salvation of all peoples and it is this redemption which we celebrate today.
Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
Hebrews 5:7-9; Psalm 30; John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35
In our first reading from the letter to the Hebrews we read that Christ offered up prayer to God but still went to the cross to save the world. In the gospel from St John, we see Mary at the foot of the cross as her Son dies. In the alternative gospel from St Luke we see Mary and Joseph with the Christ-child in the Temple at his presentation. There they are met by Simeon who predicts that Mary would suffer as a result of being the mother of Christ. Today’s memorial recalls Mary’s suffering at seeing her Divine Son rejected and ultimately put to death. Through it all she never tried to prevent what was taking place because she trusted in God and in her Son. As she suffered she was comforted by God who comforts us in all our troubles.
Wednesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13; Psalm 32; Luke 7:31-35
Today’s first reading is St Paul’s beautiful passage on love from his first letter to the Corinthians. The greatest force we have is love and if we act and do everything from the principle of love then the kingdom of God will be ours. If we fail to act with love then nothing we do will matter at all. Paul writes about what love is not and then tells us what love is. In the Gospel, Christ is rebuking the people because they do not listen to him because he does not act as they would have the Messiah act. John the Baptist did and they did not listen to him either. Christ has taught us to love one another following his example and that is the challenge for us today.
Feast of St Albert, Patriarch of Jerusalem & Lawgiver of Carmel
Albert Avogadro was born in the middle of the twelfth century in Castel Gualtieri, in the plains of northern Italy. He became a Canon Regular of the Holy Cross, at Mortara, and was elected their prior in 1180. He was appointed Bishop of Bobbio in 1184, Bishop of Vercelli in 1185, and Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in 1204. For nine years he was also a papal legate for Pope Clement III. Given the troubles in the Holy Land at the time of his appointment, he spent his time as Patriarch living in the northern coastal town of Acre where he was murdered by an unhappy Hospitaller on September 14, 1214. He is an important figure for the Carmelite Order because during his time as Latin Patriarch he was approached by the hermits living near the Spring of Elijah who asked him for a Rule of Life, a rule to govern their living in community. This he wrote in the form of a letter sometime between 1206 and 1214 and, in so doing, gave the formal beginnings to what is the Order of Carmelites.
Readings:
Ephesians 6:11-18; Psalm 118; Matthew 20:25-28
The first reading from the letter to the Ephesians is one which was quoted by St Albert in the Rule of Life he left for the first Carmelites. The passage reminds us that even though salvation has been won by Jesus Christ, the Christian is to remain vigilant because evil forces are still at work, trying to lead people away from God. The idea of God’s armour has its origins in the Old Testament (Isaiah 11 and 59, and Wisdom 5) and it is to be worn by the Christian if they are to be successful in the struggle. In his Rule, Albert exhorted the early hermits to be aware of the presence of the evil one and to arm themselves against him. For Albert, the devil or the evil one was no mere symbol, but a living being who works against God.
The gospel text from St Matthew reminds us that we are servants to one another, and we are not to be served. We are servants of God, servants of the Gospel, and servants of one another. This is very much found in the Carmelite Rule where the Prior is first among equals, not their lord or master, but simply their leader for a time. These readings are particularly important for us as Carmelites as they give scriptural grounding to our way of life.
Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Psalm 16; Luke 8:1-3
Today, St Paul reminds the Corinthians that Christ has in fact risen from the dead and that this is a pillar of the faith. It is also our salvation for if it did not take place then our faith would be in vain for there would be no hope and no salvation. In our Gospel, Luke speaks of some of the women who followed Jesus on his travels and who had been cured by him. These women also witnessed to the events on Calvary, were present at his burial and saw the Risen Lord.
Saturday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49; Psalm 55; Luke 8:4-15
We are reminded by St Paul in the first reading today that in order for us to rise with Christ we must first die to ourselves. In other words, those things which hold us to the ways of this world must die and we must be reborn as true Christians. Then we will rise with Christ and share his glory. Paul tells the Corinthians that just as a seed remains in the ground when the plant grows, so too our heavenly bodies will be unlike our earthly bodies which will remain here when we enter heaven. In our Gospel we read the parable of the Sower, the Sower being Christ himself. We are challenged today to look honestly at ourselves and see which type of soil we are according to the parable. The challenge is for us to make ourselves the rich soil which will yield a rich harvest of faith and help others to reach the kingdom.
September 20 – September 26, 2026
25th Week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle A; Weekday Cycle C.
The Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 55:6-9; Psalm 144; Philippians 1:20-24, 27; Matthew 20:1-16
Our readings from Isaiah and from St Matthew’s Gospel speak to us of the generosity of God which is beyond our understanding. Isaiah reminds us to seek the Lord and not abandon his ways like the wicked do. The gospel sees Jesus teaching about the mercy of God through a parable in which all people are treated very generously. All people are considered equal in God’s eyes and there is a welcome and a place for each person in heaven if they live according to the gospel.
Our second reading now comes from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians and in today’s passage we read that Christ will be glorified in us and that Christ is our life. Paul is quite candid about the fact that he wants to die and live with Christ in heaven but at the same time he knows that Christ is with him and that he has a task to complete for Christ before he dies – the spread of the gospel. Christ can only be glorified in us if we live out the gospel in the sight of others with Christ as the guiding principle of our lives.
Feast of St Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist
Ephesians 4:1-7; Psalm 18; Matthew 9:9-13
Our first reading today from the letter to the Ephesians speaks of the different gifts of God which have been given to the Ephesians, and how they should all be used for the building up of the Body of Christ. First among those are the apostles who gave their lives for the building of the kingdom – Matthew being today’s example. The gospel passage tells the story of the call of Matthew from being a tax-collector to being a follower of Christ.
Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13; Psalm 118; Luke 8:19-21
We have a number of little proverbs in today’s first reading from the Book of Proverbs which give pointers to the way we should think and act. The general theme is about the ways of evil men in comparison to those who are good-living. In the Gospel we see Jesus being looked for by his family. He tells us that those who do his will are members of his family. If we are Christians then we should take every care not to let our family down, and in particular our brother, Christ, by doing or saying anything that is against his will.
Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Proverbs 30:5-9; Psalm 118; Luke 9:1-6
In the first reading from the Book of Proverbs we see the author remind us about the trustworthiness of God’s promises. He then goes on to pray for sincerity and finally he asks to be protected against poverty but also against excessive wealth, for wealth can put a barrier between us and God. The Psalm is a prayer to God to be guarded from evil ways. In the Gospel we see Jesus sending out his Twelve Apostles to preach and to cure in his name. As Christians we too have an obligation to spread the Good News of the kingdom.
Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Ecclesiastes 1:2-11; Psalm 89; Luke 9:7-9
Today we begin reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes written by an author named Qoheleth about the third century before Christ. He tells us that there is nothing new to be found in the world – everything there is has already existed but we do not have any memory of them. It is in the mind of God the Creator and the works of man are but mere vanity. In our Gospel text, the works and teachings of Christ have come to the attention of Herod. He is unsettled because some people thought that Jesus was the Baptist – whom Herod had beheaded – come back to life. Herod had listened to John with curiosity but had not done as John had instructed. Now he is getting a second chance to do the right thing. We too get second chances though we do not always acknowledge or grasp them. However, we do not know when our time on this earth will end and so we need to listen to the word of God today and act upon it.
Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11; Psalm 143; Luke 9:18-22
In our first reading today from the Book of Ecclesiastes, Qoheleth tells us that there is a time for everything. The reading reminds us that there is a rhythm in life and a cycle of change to all things. In our Gospel, St Peter makes his great profession of faith when Christ asks his followers who they think he is. He also tells them that he is to suffer and to die. Today we are asked to look into our hearts and, for ourselves, answer the question – “Who do you say I am?” We are also told that this event took place while Jesus and the Apostles were at prayer, again showing us how central prayer was in the life of Christ.
Saturday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Ecclesiastes 11:9-12, 8; Psalm 89; Luke 9:43-45
Today, Qoheleth – the author of the first reading – is reminding us of how foolish we can be, especially in our youth. It is in our young days that we should acknowledge the power of God and begin building up our faith so as to be able to bear the trials of the “evil days” which come later in life. In our Gospel text, Jesus again tells his disciples that he will be handed over to the power of men, though they do not understand what he is saying and were too afraid to ask. Yet he tells them to keep this always in mind and we are told elsewhere in the Gospels that all these things fell into place for them following the resurrection.
