The Hidden Depths of the Mass #14

The Liturgy of the Word – Daily Mass Readings
Just as on Sunday, during the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter the readings for daily Mass are selected to correspond to the themes of the season. 

At daily Mass there is not a second reading unless it is a special feast or solemnity.  With six weekdays, there is much more opportunity to cover the readings.  Thus, the gospel readings for daily Mass are on a one-year cycle.  We begin Ordinary Time with the Gospel of Mark, followed by Matthew, and then Luke.  (As on Sunday, the Gospel of John is used during Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter).

The first reading can be from the Old Testament or New Testament.  Unlike Sunday Mass, the first reading at daily Mass is not chosen to correspond to the gospel reading of the day.  The first reading is a semi-continuous reading of a book of the Bible.

(The previous articles in this series can be found online at https://www.renewaloffaith.org/bulletinmass.