Sunday, February
3, 2002
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Zep
2:3; 3:12-13
Seek Yahweh, all you poor of the land who fulfill his commands, do justice
and are meek, and perhaps you will find refuge on the day Yahweh comes
to judge.
I will leave within you a poor and meek people who seek refuge in God.
The remnant of Israel will not act unjustly nor will they speak falsely,
nor will deceitful words be found in their mouths. They will eat and rest
with none to threaten them.
2nd Reading: 1 Cor 1:26-31
Brothers and sisters, look and see whom God has called. Few among you
can be said to be cultured or wealthy, and few belong to noble families.
Yet God has chosen what the world considers foolish, to shame the wise;
he has chosen what the world considers weak to shame the strong. God has
chosen common and unimportant people, making use of what is nothing to
nullify the things that are, so that no mortal may boast before God. But,
by God's grace you are in Christ Jesus, who has become our wisdom from
God, and who makes us just and holy and free. Scripture says: Let the
one who boasts boast of the Lord.
Gospel: Mt 5:1-12
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 have the spirit of the poor, 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 a pure heart, 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 justice, 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. This is how this people
persecuted the prophets who lived before you.
Commentary
Read again the Gospel reading of today and you will surely disagree with
what Jesus declares as fortunate. How can the poor be fortunate? Fortunate
are those who are rich and happy! Is power not might?
But think of it this way: when the fullness of God's Kingdom comes, those
who have not will surely be given more, those who are oppressed will see
the liberating power of God. And those who have been enjoying their lot
in this world will find that they have no more share in the Kingdom...
Now, read the Gospel passage again, but this time, listen attentively
to that little voice in your heart. Though what Jesus says run contrary
to how we see things in our present world, our inner heart agrees with
him and delights in his words.