St. Albert the Great Newman Center

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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08/07/2026

This Sunday’s Readings
August 9, 2026

First Reading
1 Kings 19:9a,11-13a
The Lord appears to Elijah in a whisper.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 85:9-14
The Lord is the source of salvation.

Second Reading
Romans 9:1-5
Paul speaks of the blessings that have come to the Israelites.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus walks on water, and the disciples acknowledge him as the Son of God.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel directly follows last week’s account of Jesus feeding a crowd of more than 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. For the sake of the crowds, Jesus had postponed his time of solitude. Now, at last, Jesus finds some time for quiet and prayer. He sends his disciples ahead of him by boat, dismisses the crowds, and then withdraws to the mountain to pray.

07/24/2026

This Sunday’s Readings
July 26, 2026

First Reading
1 Kings 3:5,7-12
Solomon pleases God when he asks for a wise and understanding heart to better govern the people.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 119:57,72,76-77,127-130
The law of the Lord is more precious than silver and gold.

Second Gospel Reading
Romans 8:28-30
God chose us to be conformed to the image of his Son.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 13:44-52 (shorter form: Matthew 13:44-46)
Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of Heaven.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel concludes three weeks of readings from the 13th Chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. Throughout these three weeks we have heard Jesus teaching crowds about the kingdom of heaven, and we have heard Jesus interpret some of his teachings for the disciples. In this week’s Gospel, Jesus offers three more short parables.

07/10/2026

This Sunday's Readings
July 12, 2026

First Reading
Isaiah 55:10-11
The Word of the Lord shall achieve its purpose.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 65:10-14
A prayer of praise to God for his abundance.

Second Reading
Romans 8:18-23
Together with all of creation, we await God’s redemption.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 13:1-23 (shorter form: Matthew 13:1-9)
Jesus teaches that the kingdom of heaven is like seed that has been sown on good soil.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel marks the beginning of the third long discourse given by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. Over the next few weeks, the Gospel readings will consist of the entire 13th Chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, a lengthy teaching discourse.

06/26/2026

This Sunday’s Readings
June 28, 2026

First Reading
2 Kings 4:8-11,14-16a
Hospitality extended to Elisha will be rewarded.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 89:2-3,16-19
Sing God’s praises forever.

Second Reading
Romans 6:3-4,8-11
Through Christ we are dead to sin but alive in God.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 10:37-42
Jesus outlines the costs and rewards of discipleship.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel is the conclusion of the instructions and consolations that we have heard Jesus offering to his disciples during the past few weeks. In this passage, Jesus summarizes both the costs of discipleship and its rewards. Once again our understanding of the Gospel is strengthened by considering the context in which it was written and the perspective of Matthew’s audience.

06/19/2026

This Sunday's Readings
June 21, 2026

First Reading
Jeremiah 20:10-13
Jeremiah expresses confidence that the Lord will protect him.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 69:8-10,14,17,33-35
God responds to the prayers of those in need.

Second Reading
Romans 5:12-15
Sin came into the world through one person; so salvation came through one person for many.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 10:26-33
Jesus assures the Twelve that God cares about them.

Background on the Gospel Reading

We read today’s Gospel in the context of last week’s Gospel in which Jesus sent the twelve disciples to proclaim the kingdom of heaven. In between last week’s reading and today’s reading, Jesus has predicted that the disciples will face difficulties in their mission. Many people will not receive them well, even within the land of Israel. Even family members will turn away from the disciples because of the disciples’ commitment to Jesus and the kingdom. Today’s Gospel offers the disciples consolation against this difficult truth.

06/12/2026

This Sunday’s Readings
June 14, 2026

First Reading
Exodus 19:2-6a
God tells Moses that the Israelites will be his special people.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 100:1-3,5
We are the people of God.

Second Reading
Romans 5:6-11
Christ died for us while we were still sinners and reconciled us to God.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 9:36-10:8
Jesus sends the twelve apostles to proclaim the kingdom of heaven.

Background on the Gospel Reading

In today's Gospel, Jesus shares his mission to proclaim the kingdom of heaven with his disciples. The signs of the kingdom's presence consist of the work that Jesus has already been doing: the sick are cured, lepers are cleansed, demons are driven out, and the dead are raised to life. The disciples are sent to continue doing the work that Jesus has begun. This is a moment of transition in Matthew's Gospel. The focus has shifted from the ministry of Jesus to the work of the community that he has inaugurated. More than any other Gospel, Matthew's Gospel elaborates on the work of the Church, which is to continue after Jesus' death and resurrection.

06/05/2026

This Sunday’s Readings
June 7, 2026

First Reading
Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14b-16a
Moses tells the people to remember how God delivered them from slavery in Egypt.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 147:12-15,19-20
Praise God, Jerusalem!

Second Reading
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Though many, we are one body when we partake of the Body and Blood of Christ.

Gospel Reading
John 6:51-58
Jesus says, “I am the living bread.”

Background on the Gospel Reading

This Sunday we celebrate a second solemnity during this period of Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar. Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This day was once called Corpus Christi, which is Latin for “Body of Christ.” In the revised Lectionary the name for this day is expanded to reflect more completely our Eucharistic theology.

05/29/2026

This Sunday’s Readings
May 31, 2026

First Reading
Exodus 34:4b-6,8-9
Moses pleads for God’s mercy on Mt. Sinai.

Responsorial Psalm
Daniel 3:52-56
We praise God who is exalted above all forever.

Second Reading
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Paul urges the Corinthians to live in peace with one another and with God.

Gospel Reading
John 3:16-18
God sent his Son into the world to save the world.

Background on the Gospel Reading

This week we return to the liturgical season of Ordinary Time.