☩ The Lord’s Day
Prepare for Sunday
Sunday 18 October 2026 — Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings, a sermon on the Gospel, and a simple way to come ready to Mass.
Photo: FSSP – Fraternitas Sacerdotalis Sancti Petri · Attribution
This Sunday · Sunday 18 October 2026
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ordinary Time · liturgical colour green · Sunday readings, Year A. The Mass on Saturday evening already belongs to Sunday (can. 1248).
The readings at Mass · 18 October 2026
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
- ReadingA reading from the Book of Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
- GospelFrom the Gospel according to Matthew 22:15-21
From Vatican News — Word of the Day, following the General Roman Calendar, with a commentary from the Popes. Where a feast is kept on another day in your country, your parish’s readings may differ.
A sermon on this Gospel
Bishop Robert Barron preaches
Each week the bishop of Winona-Rochester and founder of Word on Fire preaches on the coming Sunday’s Gospel. Ten to fifteen minutes to hear it opened up before you hear it at Mass.
More from Bishop BarronSunday sermon The Coin Belongs to Caesar, But Caesar Belongs to God – Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon
Before you go
Come ready
Four small things that change how Sunday is lived.
I · Read
Pray with the Gospel
Read Sunday’s Gospel slowly, the way the Church calls lectio divina: what does the text say? What does it say to me? Answer God in prayer, rest a moment in his presence — and ask what he is asking of you this week.
II · Reconcile
Confession, if you need it
Whoever is conscious of a grave sin goes to confession before receiving Communion. Many parishes hear confessions on Saturday.
III · Fast
One hour before Communion
Before receiving the Eucharist, keep from food and drink for at least an hour — water and medicine are allowed. The elderly, the sick and those caring for them are excused.
IV · Go
Find a Mass
Sunday Mass is the heart of the Christian week, and the Church asks every Catholic to take part. Travelling? Find the next Mass wherever you are.
The Sundays ahead
Look ahead
- 18 OctTwenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
- 25 OctThirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
- 1 NovAll Saints
- 8 NovThirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
- 15 NovThirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
- 22 NovOur Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
- 29 NovFirst Sunday of Advent
- 6 DecSecond Sunday of Advent
Days follow the General Roman Calendar; where a solemnity is moved to Sunday in your country, your parish may celebrate differently. See also holy days of obligation and the liturgical year.