February 01, 2026・4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Zephaniah 2.3, 3.12-13・ Psalm 146.1+2+10a,6c+7,8ac+9bc・1 Corinthians 1.26-31・ Matthew 5.1-12a

Indeed, each one`s outlook in life, or the way one sees, understand and judges things differs and definitely depends on how we go through life in this world. It (one`s outlook in life) may either be so well influenced by what this world offers, by whatever we have around, by whatever we want to have (motive・purpose) and to be. In today`s readings however, each and every one of us is invited to revisit our life`s perspective, honestly do daily examination of conscience, do a lot of reconsiderations, and finally realize how our God of faith sees things differently than we do.

Today`s readings allow us to see what we and “this world” generally and ordinarily misunderstand and overlook. The so-called “supreme blessedness” (the beatitude) that our Gospel reading today has laid down may not be so easy to understand. Jesus tells us who is truly blessed. It’s not the rich or powerful the way this world understands. Blessed are those who are gentle, merciful, blessed are the peacemakers, and blessed are those who are willing to suffer for doing what is right.

Today`s first reading encourages the humble to seek (always have interest in) the Lord. There is a refuge for the humble. God lifts them up.

Humility is a basic character of the follower of Christ. A humble heart is calm and therefore does not overlook the weak, the poor, and the voiceless in the society. A humble person is calm that is why he/she does not overlook what are more important things. He/she knows the more important things than what we and this world have considered important up to this day. Paul, in our second reading today, reminds the people of Corinth that their calling is based on God`s intention to lift the people who are unwise, unpowerful and foolish according to the human standards. God does great things for the “small” in the eyes of the world.