Philippine Daily Inquirer Digital Edition

GOSPEL

January 29, 2023 (Sunday)

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Psalter: Week 4 / (Green) Responsorial Psalm: Ps 146: 6-7, 8-9, 9-10

Blessed are the poor in Spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!

Gospel: Mt 5: 1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. He sat down and his disciples gathered around him. Then he spoke and began to teach them:

Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Fortunate are those who mourn; they shall be comforted.

Fortunate are the gentle; they shall possess the land.

Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.

Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy.

Fortunate are those with pure hearts, for they shall see God.

Fortunate are those who work for peace; they shall be called children of God.

Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers.

Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God.

Lectio Divina:

Read: Zephaniah promises the exiles of Israel that they will again find peace and contentment because of the Lord’s faithfulness. Paul reminds his readers that God does not choose only the wise and the powerful. Instead, he chooses the weak and the poor, giving them strength and wisdom in Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus begins his Sermon on the Mount by teaching that those considered less fortunate in the eyes of the world will be blessed immeasurably by God.

Reflect: Our God is a God of surprises. Time and again Scripture makes it clear that God judges by standards very different than those of the world. As the prophet Isaiah taught, God’s ways are not our ways. In our celebrity-driven culture, people seek fame, wealth and power. People strive for and celebrate momentary notoriety as viral sensations. Those who fail to meet the world’s standards are ignored, despised, or blamed for their situations. But Jesus teaches a different way. He raises up those who are humble, poor, in mourning and persecuted, promising that they will find joy in God.

Pray: Loving God, please help me to see the world and its people through your eyes.

Act: Log off of social media for one day and use the time for prayer or service.

MOTORING

en-ph

2023-01-29T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-01-29T08:00:00.0000000Z

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