First reading Zephaniah 2:3,3:12-13
In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people
Seek the Lord,
all you, the humble of the earth,
who obey his commands.
Seek integrity,
seek humility:
you may perhaps find shelter
on the day of the anger of the Lord.
In your midst I will leave
a humble and lowly people,
and those who are left in Israel will seek refuge in the name of the Lord.
They will do no wrong,
will tell no lies;
and the perjured tongue will no longer
be found in their mouths.
But they will be able to graze and rest
with no one to disturb them.
Responsorial Psalm 145(146):6-10
Second reading 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, to shame the wise
Take yourselves for instance, brothers, at the time when you were called: how many of you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or came from noble families? No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen – those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything. The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you, God has made members of Christ Jesus and by God’s doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom. As scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord.
Gospel Matthew 5:1-12a
How happy are the poor in spirit
Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
‘How happy are the poor in spirit;
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy the gentle:
they shall have the earth for their heritage.
Happy those who mourn:
they shall be comforted.
Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
they shall be satisfied.
Happy the merciful:
they shall have mercy shown them.
Happy the pure in heart:
they shall see God.
Happy the peacemakers:
they shall be called sons of God.
Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.’
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Walking the path of God
We often value power, success, popularity, and wealth, but today’s readings remind us that God sees things differently. In the first reading, the prophet Zephaniah encourages us to be humble and rely on God rather than our own strength. We often think we need to prove ourselves through success and recognition. However, true strength comes from trusting in God, rather than relying on our own abilities. In the second reading, St Paul emphasises that God chooses the foolish and weak by human standards to shame what the world considers as wise and strong. These powerful words from St Paul remind us that God works through those whom the world views as unimportant and weak. Today, we are called to be humble and trust that He can use us in ways we may never expect.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to embrace the path of the Beatitudes, which emphasises qualities like humility, gentleness, mercy, purity of heart, and being peacemakers. Following this path may present challenges that test our faith, but we find comfort in the assurance that Jesus is always with us, guiding us through every situation. His presence is the source of our happiness.
Reflective question:
How do the readings today challenge my way of living in a society that promotes power, status, and self-promotion?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
