Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth,
who have observed his law;
seek justice, seek humility;
perhaps you may be sheltered
on the day of the LORD’s anger.
But I will leave as a remnant in your midst
a people humble and lowly,
who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD:
the remnant of Israel.
They shall do no wrong
and speak no lies;
nor shall there be found in their mouths
a deceitful tongue;
they shall pasture and couch their flocks
with none to disturb them.
Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10Responsorial Psalm
R. (Mt 5:3) Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or:
R. Alleluia.
1 Cor 1:26-31Reading 2
Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.
Not many of you were wise by human standards,
not many were powerful,
not many were of noble birth.
Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,
and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,
and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,
those who count for nothing,
to reduce to nothing those who are something,
so that no human being might boast before God.
It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,
who became for us wisdom from God,
as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,
so that, as it is written,
“Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.”
Mt 5:1-12aGospel
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”
Catholic Fundamentalism Interpretation:
This passage concerns those whose humility and obedience puts them in a position to be saved, and they may be kept from The Programmer’s anger.
I will leave you Catholic priests, who will be poor, celibate, and obedient.
They will do no wrong, and they will not bear false witness. They shall take care of their flocks and no one will bother them (as they go in and out of their sheepfolds/churches).
Blessed are those whose spirits recognize that God will let them into Heaven if they choose to obey Hiim.
The Unprogrammed Programmer will always keep His word, bring justice to the oppressed, food to the hungry, and freedom to captives.
The Loving Programmer lets the blind see, raises those once bowed down. He loves the just and protects strangers.
He takes care of orphans and widows. He stops the wicked and their plans. He shall rule forever, your God, O chosen people, through all generations.
Blessed are those whose spirits recognize that God will let them into Heaven if they choose to obey Hiim.
Look at how you were before being called, fellow believers. Most of you weren’t overly bright, powerful, or had inherited riches. God chose you, who seemed foolish, to shame those who think they know more than they do. He chose the weak to shame the strong. He chose the lowly and despised, thought to be nothing, to reduce to nothing those who (think themselves) to be important.
He does not want any person to be able to boast before God.
It is due to Him (and Him, alone) that you are in the Body of Christ. He became for us Wisdom, from God, as well as righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
So that, it is written, "Whoever boasts should boast in the The Lord."
When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up to the mountain. After He sat down, His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them:
"Blessed are the humble, they may get into Heaven.
Those who love enough to mourn will be blessed.
The meek will be blessed, and inherit the land.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they’ll be satisfied.
Those who are merciful will receive mercy.
Blessed are those who do not sin, they will see God.
Those who make peace will be blessed, and will be known as God’s children.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for being and doing what is right. Theirs is The Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult and persecute you and say every kind of bad thinng against you falsely because of Me (and your belief in Me).
Rejoice and be glad because your reward will be great in Heaven."
