Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading
Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12–13
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who obey his commands; seek integrity, seek humility: perhaps you may find shelter on the day of the Lord’s anger. In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people, and those who are left in Israel will seek refuge in the name of the Lord. They will do no wrong and tell no lies; the deceitful tongue will no longer be found in their mouths.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 146:6–7, 8–9a, 9bc–10
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
The Lord gives food to the hungry and sets prisoners free; the Lord gives sight to the blind and lifts up all who are bowed down. The Lord watches over the strangers; upholds the widow and orphan but frustrates the ways of the wicked. The Lord will reign for ever, your God, O Zion, through all generations.
Second Reading
1 Corinthians 1:26–31
Brothers and sisters: Consider your calling, for not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world — things that are not — so that no one might boast in the presence of God.
Gospel
Matthew 5:1–12a
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, sat down, and his disciples came to him. He opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Reflection
Today’s readings place before us the heart of Christian discipleship: humble dependence on God and faithful obedience to his way of life.
Zephaniah calls us to seek the Lord with humility and righteousness, promising that among the people God will leave a humble remnant that trusts in his name. The Psalm response unfolds that trust in concrete mercy: God feeds, heals, frees, and watches over the vulnerable — the poor, the imprisoned, the blind, the bowed down — while God’s reign endures for ever.
Paul’s words to the Corinthians remind us that God’s wisdom overturns human expectations: God chooses what the world overlooks so that all boasting is directed not toward human strength but toward God’s grace.
In the Gospel, Jesus proclaims the Beatitudes — not a checklist of virtues, but a revelation of the blessedness inherent in those who live with open, humble, trusting hearts. Each Beatitude names a reality that the world often forgets: the kingdom belongs to the poor in spirit; comfort comes to those who mourn; mercy returns mercy; and peacemakers are recognised as God’s own children.
These readings invite each of us to examine where our hearts are placed — toward worldly success or toward gospel meekness — and to re-orient ourselves toward God’s reign of mercy, justice, and peace.
Catechism connections (CCC):
The Beatitudes reveal the true face of Jesus Christ and the vocation of the faithful (CCC 1716)
A moment of pause
Which Beatitude speaks most to your life right now — and how will you live it out this week?
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