4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
29th January 2023 (Sunday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord. But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord, those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid."
Psalm 146:6c-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10 (R. see Matthew 5:3)
Response: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly 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, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
Gospel : Matthew 5:1-12a
At that time: Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And 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 shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Seek the Lord!
Indicative: Our greatest priority is seeking the Lord and his kingdom. When we seek and promote the right values, his kingdom is established{alertSuccess}
1. Man can be defined as a relentless seeker. The dynamism of human life is marked by the spirit of seeking. But all seeking need not be right and praiseworthy. It can be wrong and blameworthy. So what we seek determines the quality of our seeking.
2. Sadly, there is a great human tendency to seek what gives temporary pleasure and gratification. Many times the criterion for seeking is the principle of pleasure, ease, and convenience. But today the Word of God makes it clear about what to seek and why to seek what is sought.
3. The first reading highlights three objects of seeking. They are namely seeking the Lord, seeking justice, and seeking humility. Then it explains what are the implications. This “triple seeking” implies taking refuge in the name of the Lord, observing His Law, doing no wrong, and speaking no lies or deceit.
4. The other two readings further elaborate and elucidate what is this triple seeking. The second reading clearly rules out any self-seeking. The reason is all our greatness, our very vocation, our faith, our sanctification, and redemption are due to God. They are no one’s credit or merit. Therefore there is nothing to boast about. Hence seek humility.
5. The gospel of the day comprises the Beatitudes. It lays before us what to seek and what is the effect of that seeking. The Beatitudes are not some teaching among the many teachings of Jesus. They are also not merely some values to be followed. Rather, they denote a fundamental mode of being. They are essential tenets of right living. They are the essence of right and productive seeking.
6. Seek to be poor, that is be humble and surrendered to God. Seek to be mourning, that is both being ready to suffer and to be sensitive to those who suffer. Seek to be meek, that is gentle, and courteous. Seek to be righteous, that is upright and blameless in the sight of God.
7. Seek to be merciful, that is forgiving and reconciling. Seek to be clean and pure of heart, that is without guile, malice, and pretension. Seek to be peacemakers, that is, avoid all grudges, aggression, and retaliation, and maintain peace and harmony. Seek to be persecuted for righteousness, that is enduring trials and afflictions for the Lord’s sake.
8. All these modes of being are a contrast to the standards and norms of the world. So they will certainly be challenging. And many times it may appear to be a losing and futile battle. But the Lord tells us to rejoice and be glad because there will be a reward and that will be incomparably great.
9. These rewards are: We will obtain God’s own comfort, satisfaction, and mercy. We will see and discover God. We will become God’s own children and inherit the kingdom, the heaven itself.
Imperative: Seek God and higher things. The higher we seek, the blessed will be life. Blessedness is the highest reward!{alertSuccess}