Word Wide Open: The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) - 1/29/23

First Reading (Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah.

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth,

who have observed his law;

seek justice, seek humility;

perhaps you may be sheltered

on the day of the LORD's anger.

But I will leave as a remnant in your midst

a people humble and lowly,

who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD:

the remnant of Israel.

They shall do no wrong

and speak no lies;

nor shall there be found in their mouths

a deceitful tongue;

they shall pasture and couch their flocks

with none to disturb them.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why does humility keep us closer to God?

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

A reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. 

Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.

Not many of you were wise by human standards,

not many were powerful,

not many were of noble birth.

Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,

and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,

and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,

those who count for nothing,

to reduce to nothing those who are something,

so that no human being might boast before God.

It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,

who became for us wisdom from God,

as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,

so that, as it is written,

"Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord."

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How does God empower our weaknesses?

Gospel (Matthew 5:1-12a)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew .

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,

and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 

He began to teach them, saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad,

for your reward will be great in heaven."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? Which beatitude sticks out to you? Do we achieve heaven?