Catholic daily readings

Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent

Thursday, December 3, 2026 · Advent - Week 1

The readings invite a little room for holy waiting. Stay with what Jesus says or does here, and let it ask for one honest response.

Today’s readings

First Reading

Isaiah 26:1-6

In that day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city. God appoints salvation for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter: the one which keeps faith. You will keep whoever's mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever; for in the LORD, the LORD, is an everlasting Rock. For he has brought down those who dwell on high, the lofty city. He lays it low. He lays it low even to the ground. He brings it even to the dust. The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor and the steps of the needy."

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in princes. Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous will enter into it. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation. Save us now, we beg you, LORD! LORD, we beg you, send prosperity now. Blessed is he who comes in the LORD's name! We have blessed you out of the LORD's house. The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.

Gospel

Matthew 7:21, 24-27

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. "Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn't fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn't do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell-and its fall was great."

A question for your journal

Where are you being invited to wait with more trust today?

Scripture text: World English Bible Catholic Edition, public domain. Reading citations are prepared for Come Aside from MIT-licensed citation metadata.

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