The 29th of January, 2023 is the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time. The Bible scriptures for the holy mass readings for this day came from the Year 2023 of Liturgical Calendar.
Reading 1: ZEP 2:3; 3:12-13
The first reading from the Book of Zephaniah.
Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the land, who have kept his ordinances. Seek righteousness. Seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of Yahweh’s anger.
“But I will leave among you an afflicted and poor people, and they will take refuge in Yahweh’s name.
The remnant of Israel will not do iniquity nor speak lies, neither will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth, for they will feed and lie down, and no one will make them afraid.”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
Response: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps truth forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. Yahweh frees the prisoners.
R: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Yahweh opens the eyes of the blind. Yahweh raises up those who are bowed down. Yahweh loves the righteous.
Yahweh preserves the foreigners.
R: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
He upholds the fatherless and widow, but he turns the way of the wicked upside down.
Yahweh will reign forever; your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise Yah!
R: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Reading 2: 1 COR 1:26-31
The second reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong.
God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that don’t exist, that he might bring to nothing the things that exist, that no flesh should boast before God.
Because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, that, as it is written, “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”
Gospel of the Day: MT 5:1-12A
From the gospel verse according to Matthew.
Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
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 gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”
