Seasons of the Liturgical year

First and Gospel readings

Adapted from THE CATHOLIC LECTIONARY WEBSITE compiled by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D (Lectionary for Mass – 1998/2002 USA edition (catholic-resources.org).

Advent

SundayFirst ReadingGospel
1st Sunday of Advent – AIsa 2:1-5Matt 24:37-44
2nd Sunday of Advent – AIsa 11:1-10Matt 3:1-12
3rd Sunday of Advent – AIsa 35:1-6a, 10Matt 3:1-12
4th Sunday of Advent – AIsa 7:10-14Matt 11:2-11

Christmas

Sunday or FeastFirst ReadingGospel
The Nativity of the Lord (Solemnity, Christmas): At the Vigil Mass – ABCIsa 62:1-5Matt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25
Christmas: Mass during the Night – ABCIsa 9:1-6Luke 2:1-14
Christmas: Mass at Dawn – ABCIsa 62:11-12Luke 2:15-20
Christmas: Mass during the Day – ABCIsa 52:7-10John 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14
[Sunday within the Octave of Christmas]: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (Feast) – ABC*Sir 3:3-7, 14-17a – Vg = Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 – GkMatt 2:13-15, 19-23
Jan. 1: The Octave Day of Christmas: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God – ABCNum 6:22-27Luke 2:16-21
[Second Sunday after Christmas – ABC]Sir 24:1-4, 12-16John 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14
The Epiphany of the Lord (Solemnity) – ABCIsa 60:1-6Matt 2:1-12
[Sunday after Epiphany]:
The Baptism of the Lord (Feast) – ABC
Isa 42:1-4, 6-7Matt 3:13-17

Ordinary Time (Sundays 1-7 in 2023)

Lent

SundayFirst ReadingGospel
1st Sunday of Lent – AGen 2:7-9; 3:1-7Matt 4:1-11 – Temptation
2nd Sunday of Lent – AGen 12:1-4a (diff)Matt 17:1-9 – Transfiguration
3rd Sunday of Lent – AExod 17:3-7John 4:5-42 – Samaritan Woman or 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42
4th Sunday of Lent – A1 Sam 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13aJohn 9:1-41 – Man Born Blind or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38
5th Sunday of Lent – AEzek 37:12-14John 11:1-45 – Raising Lazarus or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord: At the Procession with Palms – ABC Matt 21:1-11
Palm Sunday: At the Mass – ABCIsa 50:4-7Matt 26:14 – 27:66  or 27:11-54

Easter

The Easter TriduumFirst ReadingGospel
Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper – Years ABCExod 12:1-8, 11-14  John 13:1-15
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion – ABCIsa 52:13—53:12  John 18:1—19:42
Easter Sunday: Resurrection of the Lord; Easter Vigil in the Holy Night – ABC*Use at least three, or up to seven readings from the OT, but always include #3:   1) Gen 1:1—2:2 or 1, 26-31a 2) Gen 22:1-18 or 1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18 3) Exod 14:15—15:1 4) Isa 54:5-14 5) Isa 55:1-11 6) Bar 3:9-15, 32-4:4 7) Ezek 36:16-17a, 18-28  Matt 28:1-10
Easter Sunday: Resurrection of the Lord; Mass of Easter Day – ABC  Acts 10:34a, 37-43John 20:1-9 or Luke 24:13-35 (for afternoon Masses)
Sundays of Easter
2nd Sunday of Easter – A (Sunday of Divine Mercy)  Acts 2:42-47John 20:19-31
3rd Sunday of Easter – A  Acts 2:14, 22-33Luke 24:13-35
4th Sunday of Easter – A  Acts 2:14a, 36-41John 10:1-10
5th Sunday of Easter – A  Acts 6:1-7John 14:1-12
6th Sunday of Easter – A  Acts 8:5-8, 14-17John 14:15-21
Ascension of the Lord – A (check note: https://www.catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/1998USL-Easter.htm#Ascension)Acts 1:1-11Matt 28:16-20
7th Sunday of Easter – A (note: https://www.catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/1998USL-Easter.htm#Ascension)  Acts 1:12-14John 17:1-11a

Ordinary time (Sundays 8-34 in 2023)

*Admin note to self: check against Australian 2026 Daily Mass Book (Liturgy Brisbane, 2022).