Sunday 1 February 2026 - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings:
Zeph 2:3; 3:12-13 Ps 146 1 Cor 1:26-31 Mt 5:1-12
Key Verse to Meditate:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5:3).
Dear Brothers
and Sisters in Christ,
The Word
of God this Sunday invites us to reflect deeply on who truly belongs to God’s
people and how God accomplishes His saving work in the world. The first and
second readings today both converge on a powerful and challenging theme: God
chooses the humble, the poor, and the seemingly insignificant to reveal His
glory.
The
Gospel reading presents the Beatitudes to us—a programme of Christian ethics
and a way of life of discipleship. It is a beautiful programme of spiritual
life. The Sermon on the Mount begins with the Beatitudes, and it is truly a
sermon for life. This passage has touched the lives of countless people. The
Fathers of the Church unanimously affirm that the Beatitudes are first
fulfilled in Christ. Vatican II confirms that the Church is called to make this
Beatitude-shaped Christ visible in the world. Today’s liturgy invites us to
practise humility and to focus on Christ, the wisdom of God, by living the
Beatitudes.
First
Reading: A Humble and Lowly People: The Promise of Zephaniah
The first
reading taken from prophet Zephaniah speaks to a people threatened by judgment,
corruption, and self-sufficiency. In this context, he offers a message of
hope—not to the proud or powerful, but to the humble: “Seek the Lord, all
you humble of the land… seek righteousness, seek humility” (Zep 2:3). Later,
the prophet announces God’s saving promise: “I will leave in your midst a
people humble and lowly… they shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord”
(Zep 3:12). Hope an promise come together from the Lord. Here, humility is considered
not as weakness but a spiritual attitude of trust and dependence on God.
The “remnant” of Israel that God preserves is characterized not by wealth,
power, or prestige, but by truthfulness, simplicity, and fidelity. They
“do no wrong and speak no lies” because their security is not in themselves,
but in the Lord. The first reading proposes a unique Gospel logic: God’s
kingdom grows not through domination, but through surrender; not through pride,
but through humility.
Second
Reading: God’s Choice: The Foolish and the Weak
Saint
Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, reminds the community to consider
their own vocation: “Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many
of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful…” (1 Cor 1:26).
Here, Paul is not humiliating the community; rather, he is revealing God’s
saving strategy. Beautiful message of Paul in today’s second reading is
that God deliberately chooses what the world considers weak and foolish in
order to expose the emptiness of human pride: “God chose what is weak in the
world to shame the strong… so that no one might boast before God” (1 Cor
1:27, 29).This overturning of human values reaches its climax in Christ
crucified—the greatest “foolishness” in the eyes of the world, yet the supreme
wisdom of God.
Christ:
Our Wisdom, Righteousness, and Redemption
In the
second reading Saint Paul further moves forward and centers everything on
Christ: “He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us
wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption”
(1 Cor 1:30). What we cannot achieve by our own merit, intelligence, or
strength is freely given by God in Christ. Therefore, Christian life is
not about self-exaltation but about grace-filled dependence. Finally Paul
concludes with a powerful reminder drawn from Scripture: “Let the one who
boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Cor 1:31).
The
Gospel Reading
Today’s
Gospel passage is taken from the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel
according to St. Matthew (cf. the Sermon on the Plain, Lk 6:22–26; for
the eschatological woes, see Deut 27:15–28; Is 5:8–23; Mk 13:17; Rev 8:13;
9:12; 11:14; 12:12; 18:10). Scholars such as Schweizer, Gundry, Guelich, and
Meier suggest that the Matthean Beatitudes may be divided into two sets
of four, reflecting first the passive condition of the disciples and
then their active response, which ultimately leads to persecution.
The first
four Beatitudes are: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” “Blessed are
those who mourn,” “Blessed are the meek,” and “Blessed are those who
hunger and thirst for righteousness.”
The second four Beatitudes are: “Blessed are the merciful,” “Blessed
are the pure in heart,” “Blessed are the peacemakers,” and “Blessed are
those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.”
Interestingly,
it is observed that both Beatitudes 1–4 and Beatitudes 5–8 each contain thirty-six
words. Because of this structural symmetry, Beatitudes in verses 11–12 are
sometimes excluded from the total count and treated as a transition to the
following section. The principal Greek adjective μακάριοι (makarioi,
“blessed”) denotes being fortunate or happy, particularly in the sense of being
a privileged recipient of divine favour (cf. Mt 11:6; 13:16; Lk 11:27; 23:29;
Jn 13:17; Jas 1:25; 1 Pt 3:14). Since the term makarios appears nine
times, some scholars identify nine Beatitudes.
The word “Beatitude”
literally means happiness or blessedness. The Old Testament also
contains Beatitudes or blessings, expressed through key Hebrew terms such as ’ashrê
and bārûk. The Old Testament makarios formulas first appear in Wisdom
literature (Job 5:17; Ps 1:1–2; 2:12; 41:1; 119:1; Prov 3:13; Wis 3:13–14)
and later in apocalyptic writings (Dan 12:12; Tob 13:14). In the New
Testament, makarios occurs fifty times: thirteen in Matthew,
fifteen in Luke, two in John, two in Acts, seven in the Pauline corpus, two in
James, two in 1 Peter, and seven in Revelation.
Blessed Are the Meek and
Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness (Mt 5:5–6)
Jesus goes on to proclaim: “Blessed
are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Mt 5:5). Meekness is not
weakness; rather, it is power disciplined by love. True strength is
found in gentle self-control, not in domination. Jesus Himself describes His
own heart as “meek and humble” (Mt 11:29). For the Fathers of the Church,
meekness reflects the very character of Christ. St. Augustine insists
that meekness restrains anger and violence, thereby creating space for peace.
Jesus then adds, “Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied”
(Mt 5:6). St. Jerome explains that righteousness is not mere legal
observance but a passionate longing for God’s justice and holiness. Those who
hunger and thirst for righteousness find nourishment and strength in the Word
of God and in the consolation of the Holy Spirit. Here, “righteousness”
includes both personal holiness and social justice.
A meaningful life,
therefore, is driven by a deep desire for God’s will and justice. When one
entrusts one’s life to Jesus, one discovers true joy and freedom. God
transforms sorrow into hope, and the disciple learns that lasting happiness
flows from seeking the Kingdom of God above all else.
Blessed Are the Merciful
(Mt 5:7)
Mercy is the face of God.
Jesus consistently showed mercy toward sinners, outcasts, and the poor. Mercy
opens the door to healing relationships and divine forgiveness. It is
compassion in action—extended to the weak, the sinner, and even the enemy.
Jesus directly links mercy with the way God will treat us: “If you forgive
others… your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (cf. Mt 6:14–15). Our
discipleship becomes truly humane and redemptive when forgiveness outweighs
judgment. This Beatitude teaches us that we receive from God what we are
willing to give to others. St. Cyprian reminds us that we cannot ask
for God’s mercy while refusing mercy to our neighbour. Mercy, therefore, is not
optional; it is the measure by which God judges the authenticity of our
discipleship.
Blessed Are the Pure in
Heart (Mt 5:8)
The sixth Beatitude
highlights the necessity of inner purification: “Blessed are the pure in
heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8). The expression “pure in heart”
echoes Psalm 24:3–4: “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? … Those who
have clean hands and a pure heart.” In the biblical tradition, the heart
(lēb) represents the true self: the seat of emotions (cf. Deut
28:47; Prov 27:11; Is 35:4; Acts 14:17), the seat of intellect and
decision-making (cf. Gen 27:41; Judg 5:16), and the interior space where one
encounters God (cf. Ps 27:8; Eph 3:17). For the Fathers of the Church, purity
of heart signifies undivided love. St. Gregory of Nyssa teaches
that only a purified heart can perceive the presence of God.
Jesus clarifies that purity
is not merely external or ceremonial, but deeply interior (cf. Mt 5:27–30).
Purity of heart involves integrity, freedom from duplicity, singleness of
intention, and above all, a desire to please God in everything. In other words,
purity of heart means to will one thing alone—the will of God—with one’s whole
being. The saints are those who sought God above all else and did not worry
about tomorrow, for they trusted in the promise of Jesus: “Strive first for
the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to
you as well” (Mt 6:33). Such integrity of heart leads to the ultimate
promise of this Beatitude: the beatific vision. When the heart is
purified of selfish motives, life becomes transparent to God; only a
transparent heart can truly perceive the divine.
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
(Mt 5:9)
In the Beatitudes, Jesus
declares: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of
God” (Mt 5:9; cf. Mt 5:45; Lk 6:35; Prov 10:10; Col 1:20). Peacemakers
share in the very identity of God and are rightly called sons and daughters of
the Father. The call to holiness is universal and extends to all who accept the
invitation of the Heavenly Father to live a godly life. Our journey begins on
earth and finds its fulfilment in heaven, where we shall finally understand who
we truly are in God’s presence. The greatest fulfilment of human life is the beatific
vision—to see God as He is and to realise that it is the same Lord who
loved us from the beginning, who came down to meet us, and who loves us to the
end. In harmony with this Beatitude, Vatican II, in Gaudium et Spes
(78), teaches: “Peace is not merely the absence of war… it is the fruit of
justice and love.” Thus, to be a peacemaker is to participate in God’s own
reconciling work in the world.
Blessed are those who have been Persecuted
(Mt 5:10)
The disciples of Christ are those who are persecuted
for the sake of God and for the sake of the Kingdom. This is because the values
of the Kingdom by which they choose to live in this world are different from
the values of those who seek to make their earthly life absolute and eternal.
Those who are persecuted for the sake of Christ, however, will be rewarded in
heaven for their faithful witness and perseverance in faith amid difficulties
and struggles: "Blessed are those who
are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people 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, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who
were before you (Mt 5:11-12). In Lk 6:22 persecution takes four forms:
the disciples are hated, excluded, reviled, and their name is cast out as evil.
In Mt 5:11 they are only three forms: the disciples
are reviled, persecuted and spoken against. This verse and the next (Mt 5:11-12)
constitute the ninth and concluding beatitude. Joy
flows from knowing that God sees, remembers, and rewards faithfulness. Life
is larger than the present moment; hope gives courage to endure. Eternal hope
transforms present suffering into joyful witness.
Points for Personal Reflection
In
the gospel of today, Jesus gives us a ‘key’ or a mantra for a happy life.
Meditating on these beatitudes, we realise that a true disciple of Christ is a
one who is poor in spirit, one who mourns without comfort, one who is meek and
one who hunger and thirst for righteousness. We too are called to be pure in
heart, merciful to others and remain as peace makers. It takes courage to
believe that God can give us all that can lead to true happiness in life.
The Beatitudes,
therefore, are not ideals for a few but the normal path of Christian
holiness.
No
one like to or possibly find happiness in poverty, hunger, mourning, and
persecution? And yet Jesus challenges every one of us in following these
beatitudes. Life’s supreme goal Jesus tells us that it is God. As St. Augustine
confessed, ‘our hearts are made for God and the restless until they rest in
Him.’ It is also possible only with the life of holiness, the destined goal
for which we are all created. St. Teresa of Avila would say, ‘let nothing
disturb you (Jn 14:1). Whoever has God lacks nothing – God alone suffices’.
Without holiness, it is impossible to see God as affirmed by St. Paul: Pursue
peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
(Heb 12:14).
In
this world, we need to depend on God for everything and for our eternal
happiness. If our hearts are set on carnal pleasures than we are sadly
mistaken. St Thomas Aquinas tells us that, a person deprived of Spiritual Joy,
goes after carnal pleasures. We need to become poor in spirit to possess the
kingdom of God. God should be sufficient for us. None of us can live without
joy. But may we find that true spiritual Joy, in following Jesus Christ. This
is our true reward which awaits us in Heaven.
Conclusion
Dear brothers and sisters, the beatitudes
(Mt 5:1-12) are not merely moral ideals; they are Jesus’ portrait of a
true disciple and a blueprint for Christian living. Vatican II
presents the Beatitudes as a path of holiness for all (LG 40–42). The
Beatitudes do not promise an easy life. They
reveal the values of the Kingdom of God, often in sharp contrast to the values
of the world. The beatitude also points to us
the spiritual path which Christ want us to pursue. They embody Christ’s own
words and thus become the standard or model to be imitated. The Gospels tells
us that Jesus himself was meek (Mt 11:29; 21:5). Jesus mourned (Mt 26:36-46).
Jesus was righteous and fulfilled all righteousness (Mt 3:15; 27:4. 19). Jesus
Showed mercy (Mt 9:27; 15:22; 17:15). Jesus was persecuted (Mt 26-27). Thus,
the beatitudes are illustrated and brough to life by Jesus’ actions. The Sermon
on the Mount invites us to live by the values of God’s Kingdom, where true
happiness is found not in power or possessions, but in humility, mercy, and
righteousness. The Beatitudes call us to shape our lives according to Christ’s
way, trusting that those who live for God will be truly blessed—now in hope and
ultimately in fullness in His Kingdom.
