26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time reminds us that actions matter more than words. In all three years, we hear how God looks at the heart, not just promises or appearances. One son says no to his father but later obeys. Another says yes but does not act. This shows that true obedience is doing God’s will, not just saying the right words.

The readings also warn against pride and selfishness. People who ignore the needs of others or live only for themselves are not following God’s way. God wants fairness, care for the poor, and a change of heart. The message is clear: it is never too late to turn back to God. What matters is how we live, not just what we say.

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, and more. See how to determine the correct year.

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Mass Readings for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

See resources, homilies, and more for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A readings here.

• First reading – Ezekiel 18:25-28: The LORD addresses Israel’s claim of unfairness, questioning whether it’s His ways or theirs that are unjust. He explains that a virtuous person turning to iniquity will die due to their sins, but if they repent and act justly, they will live.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 25: I ask the Lord to show His ways and teach His truth, recalling His mercy and guiding the humble in righteousness, while overlooking past faults due to His goodness.
• Second reading – Philippians 2:1-11: Paul urges unity and humility among believers, exemplified by Christ’s selflessness. Jesus, though divine, took human form and died on a cross, leading God to exalt Him above all.
• Gospel – Matthew 21:28-32: Jesus questioned religious leaders using a parable: A father asked his two sons to work in his vineyard. The first refused but later complied; the second agreed but didn’t follow through. They acknowledged the first son obeyed. Jesus explained that sinners who repent are closer to God’s kingdom than unrepentant religious leaders.

Mass Readings for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

See resources, homilies, and more for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B readings here.

• First Reading – Numbers 11:25-29: The LORD bestowed Moses’ spirit on seventy elders, including Eldad and Medad who prophesied in the camp, leading Moses to wish all people were prophets.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 19: God’s law revives the soul and gives wisdom; His judgments are true and fair. I seek forgiveness for unknown faults and pray to be kept from deliberate sins.
• Second Reading – James 5:1-6: The rich are admonished for hoarding wealth and exploiting workers; their luxury and injustice will lead to their downfall.
• Gospel – Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48: Jesus instructed his disciples not to hinder someone casting out demons in his name, affirming those not against them are allies. He stressed the gravity of causing believers to sin, using strong metaphors to emphasize the importance of avoiding sin and its severe consequences, even if it requires personal sacrifice.

Mass Readings for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

See resources, homilies, and more for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C readings here.

• First Reading – Amos 6:1A, 4-7: The LORD denounces the comfortable and indulgent in Zion, predicting their exile and the end of their revelry due to their indifference to others’ suffering.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 146: God brings justice, feeds the hungry, frees prisoners, heals the blind, and supports the downtrodden, orphan, and widow, reigning eternally over all generations.
• Second Reading – 1 Timothy 6:11-16: A man of God is urged to pursue virtues and hold onto eternal life, keeping commandments until Christ’s return, honoring the immortal, unseen Sovereign.
• Gospel – Luke 16:19-31: Jesus narrated a parable contrasting a rich man’s luxurious life with Lazarus, a destitute man. After death, Lazarus found comfort with Abraham, while the rich man suffered. The rich man’s plea for relief and a warning for his brothers was denied, emphasizing the sufficiency of Moses and the prophets’ teachings.

Lookup Other Liturgical Dates in the Lectionary

The Bible and the Lectionary are both made up of Scripture, but they are used in different ways. The Bible includes all the books of the Old and New Testaments and can be read in any order. The Lectionary is a selection of readings taken from the Bible. These readings are arranged to match the Church’s liturgical seasons and are read at Mass. The Lectionary helps the Church focus on key parts of Scripture each week.

The Lectionary is organized by Sunday readings, weekday readings, and feast days. Each reading has a lectionary number, which helps people find it easily. Sunday readings follow a three-year cycle: Year A (Matthew), Year B (Mark), and Year C (Luke). The Gospel of John is used in special seasons. Weekday readings follow a two-year cycle. Each Sunday, like the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, has its own number and set of readings. This system helps Catholics hear the full message of the Gospel throughout the year.

How to Determine the Liturgical Year

The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.

• 2024 is Year B
• 2025 is Year C
• 2026 is Year A
• 2027 is Year B
• 2028 is Year C
• 2029 is Year A
• 2030 is Year B
• 2031 is Year C
• … and so on

The 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time teaches us that saying the right things is not enough. What really counts is doing what is right. In one Gospel reading, Jesus tells a story of two sons. One says no to his father but later does the work. The other says yes but does nothing. Jesus shows that doing God’s will matters more than just saying yes.

In another year, we hear about rich people who ignore the poor. God warns that those who live only for themselves will lose everything. These readings ask us to care for others and not just live in comfort. They remind us that God notices how we treat people in need.

The 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time also calls for change. Even those who once turned away from God can still come back. God is patient and wants us to live with love and justice. What we do each day shows where our heart really is.

This Sunday helps us look at our choices. Are we doing what we say we believe? Do our actions match our faith?

The 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time invites us to think about how we live. Do our actions match our words? Do we care for others or just talk about it? These readings call each of us to change if needed. No one is too far from God. It is never too late to start doing what is right.

Take some time to read the Scriptures for this Sunday. Think about which son you are more like. Think about how you treat people around you. Share your thoughts in the comment section. Let others know what the readings mean to you. Let’s encourage each other to grow.