St. Albert the Great Newman Center

10/02/2026

This Sunday's Readings
October 4, 2026

First Reading
Isaiah 5:1-7
The Lord compares the house of Israel to a vineyard.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 80:9,12-16,19-20
The Lord protects his vineyard, the house of Israel.

Second Reading
Philippians 4:6-9
Paul encourages the Philippians to stay faithful to the teaching they received from him.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 21:33-43
Jesus tells the parable about the wicked tenants.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today's Gospel follows directly after last Sunday's Gospel in which Jesus was questioned by Jewish religious leaders about the source of his teaching authority. After refusing to answer their questions, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons and then criticizes the priests and elders for their lack of belief in John the Baptist.

09/26/2026

This Sunday’s Readings
September 27, 2026

First Reading
Ezekiel 18:25-28
It is possible to turn from sin and preserve one’s life.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 25:4-9
A prayer to God for mercy.

Second Reading
Philippians 2:1-11 (shorter form Philippians 2:1-5)
Be like Christ who humbled himself and was exalted by God.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 21:28-32
Jesus poses a question to the chief priests and elders on the meaning of obedience.

Background on the Gospel Reading

The context for today’s Gospel is the mounting tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders. Jesus has entered Jerusalem and overturned the money changers’ tables in the Temple. Jesus has caught the attention of the religious authorities; the chief priests and elders question Jesus about the source of his authority. Jesus refuses to name for these religious leaders the source of his authority. Instead, he questions the priests and elders through the parable we hear in today’s Gospel. The answer given by the religious leaders is correct, but it convicts them for their failure to heed the call of John the Baptist and for their inability to recognize the Kingdom of God.

09/20/2026

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09/18/2026

This Sunday's Readings
September 20, 2026

First Reading
Isaiah 55:6-9
God's ways are far beyond the ways of human beings.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 145:2-3,8-9,17-18
God is near to those who call upon him.

Second Reading
Philippians 1:20c-24,27a
Paul tells the Philippians to live for Christ.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 20:1-16
In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, Jesus teaches about God's generous mercy.

Background on the Gospel Reading

In today's Gospel, Jesus moves from Galilee to teach in Judea where he is sought out by great crowds and tested by the Pharisees on issues such as marriage and divorce. Jesus also encounters a rich young man who is unable to accept Jesus' demand that he leave his possessions to follow him. Jesus' response to the rich young man sounds very much like the conclusion we will find in today's Gospel: the first will be last and the last will be first.

09/11/2026

This Sunday's Readings
September 13, 2026

First Reading
Sirach 27:30—28:9
Those who seek God's mercy must be merciful toward others.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 103:1-4,9-12
A song of praise to God who is kind and merciful.

Second Reading
Romans 14:7-9
We belong to the Lord.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 18:21-35
Jesus teaches that we must forgive one another as God has forgiven us.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today's Gospel reading directly follows last week's Gospel in which Jesus taught the disciples how to handle disputes and conflict within the Christian community. In today's reading Peter asks Jesus how many times one ought to extend forgiveness to another. Peter proposes a reasonable number of times, perhaps seven. Jesus replies by extending Peter's proposal by an enormous amount; not just seven times should one forgive, but 77 times. The parable of the unforgiving servant is Jesus' elaboration of his initial reply to Peter. Through the parable we come to understand the depths of God's mercy toward us and the results of our acceptance of God's forgiveness.

09/04/2026

This Sunday’s Readings
September 6, 2026

First Reading
Ezekiel 33:7-9
The Son of Man is appointed as guardian of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 95:1-2,6-9
Song of praise to God, our salvation.

Second Reading
Romans 13:8-10
The Law is summarized in the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus teaches his disciples how to settle disputes in the Church.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel reading is taken from a chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, which is sometimes called the “discourse on the Church” or the “church order” discourse. In this part of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus speaks more directly about matters of Church discipline and order. In today’s reading we find one of only three instances in which Jesus uses the word church in Matthew’s Gospel. In Matthew’s record of Jesus’ teaching, we can hear echoes of the kinds of issues faced by the early Christian community.

08/29/2026

This Sunday’s Readings
August 30, 2026

First Reading
Jeremiah 20:7-9
Jeremiah laments but cannot fail to speak in God’s name.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 63:2-6,8-9
Our souls yearn for God.

Second Reading
Romans 12:1-2
Paul encourages the Romans to stay faithful to God.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 16:21-27
Jesus speaks of his Passion and rebukes Peter for his objection.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel continues the story that began in last week’s Gospel. Simon Peter was called the “rock” upon which Jesus would build his Church, and yet Peter continues to show the limitations of his understanding of Jesus’ identity. Now that the disciples have acknowledged that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus confides in them the outcome of his ministry: he must suffer and die in Jerusalem to be raised on the third day. Peter rejects this prediction, and Jesus rebukes him severely, calling him “Satan.” In opposing this aspect of Jesus’ mission, Peter shows that he is no longer speaking based on the revelation from God but as a human being. Jesus then teaches all of the disciples about the difficult path of discipleship: to be Christ’s disciple is to follow in his way of the cross.

08/21/2026

This Sunday’s Readings
August 23, 2026

First Reading
Isaiah 22:19-23
God will remove Shebna from his office as master of the palace.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 138:1-3,6,8
God’s kindness is forever.

Second Reading
Romans 11:33-36
Paul sings praise to God.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 16:13-20
Simon Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Christ and is given the key to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Background on the Gospel Reading

It is important to read today’s Gospel and next week’s Gospel as two parts of a single story. These readings are a turning point in Matthew’s Gospel. This week we hear Jesus name Simon Peter as the rock upon which he will build his Church. Next week we will hear Jesus call this same Simon Peter "Satan" when he reacts negatively to Jesus’ prediction about his passion and death.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples what people are saying about his identity. The disciples indicate that most people believe that Jesus is a prophet of Israel. Then Jesus asks his disciples who they believe that he is. Simon Peter answers, identifying Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.

08/15/2026

This Sunday's Readings
August 16, 2026

First Reading
Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a,10ab
The sign of God's salvation will be a woman clothed with the sun.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 45:10-12,16
The queen takes her place next to God.

Second Reading
1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Christ has redeemed Adam's sin.

Gospel Reading
Luke 1:39-56
Mary greets Elizabeth and sings God's praise.

Background on the Gospel Reading
The Gospel for this holy day recalls Mary's actions after the announcement of Jesus' birth by the Angel Gabriel. Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth who is also with child. Elizabeth greets Mary with full recognition of the roles they and their unborn children will play in God's plan for salvation. Mary responds to Elizabeth's greeting with her song of praise, the Magnificat. Both women recall and echo God's history of showing favor upon the people of Israel. Mary's Magnificat, in particular, echoes the song of praise offered by Hannah, the mother of Samuel.

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