2023-01-29 SJBC Sunday VMass – 4th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Fourth Sunday In Ordinary Time TODAY’S READINGS First Reading – You humble of the land, seek justice and humility, and the Lord will be your protection (Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13) Psalm – The Lord blesses the humble and gives them the heavenly kingdom (Psalm 146) Second Reading – God chose the weak of the world, those who count for nothing, so that whoever boasts should boast in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:26-31) Gospel – Jesus taught from the mountain: Blessed are the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:1-12a) THE PEOPLE OF GOD’S KINGDOM In our Gospel reading from Matthew, we hear the Beatitudes, the stirring opening to the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is proclaiming the coming of the kingdom of God, and begins by considering what kind of people will enter and participate in this kingdom. They are the poor in spirit, the meek, the clean of heart, the peacemakers. We hear both Zephaniah and Paul echo this, as God’s agents in ushering in the reign of God. By living with humility and integrity, their hearts are open to being transformed by the grace of God. We too are called to live in this way. Jesus invites us to be people with open hearts, to receive God’s blessing. And working through us, God may bless all of creation.