4thSunday in Ordinary Time
01st February 2026
Lectionary Readings: Zeph 2:3; 3:12-13; Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10; 1 Cor 1:26-31; Matt 5:1-12a
Theme: Remnant of Israel: “Embracing the Beatitudes and the Call to Humility”
“Waiting and patience are necessary if we are to fulfill what we have begun to be, and to receive, through God’s unfailing help, what we hope for and believe.” -St. Cyprian
The theme for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) centers on the Beatitudes and the importance of embracing humility. It reminds us that those who are blessed include the poor in spirit, the meek, and the righteous who trust in God. This theme highlights God’s love for the lowly and invites us to rethink the values we often see in the world around us.
The Beatitudes are really significant: they form a foundation for early Christian beliefs, ethics, and spirituality. Church Fathers viewed them as more than just moral rules; they saw them as a guide for growing closer to God, a description of what the “new law” entails, and a sort of ladder for spiritual growth.
In Cf. Matthew 5:1-2 CSB p1342, when Jesus teaches from a mountain, it’s a deliberate nod to Moses on Mount Sinai, positioning Jesus as the new lawgiver of the New Covenant. While Moses received the Law, Jesus, being God made flesh, gives us the new law, and his act of sitting down to teach showcases his authority.
Many Eastern Fathers, especially Gregory of Nyssa (d. 394), interpreted the eight Beatitudes as steps on a ladder to spiritual fulfilment. For them, the Beatitudes were like precious pearls of the Kingdom where the “poor in spirit” strive to seek them, and the “pure in heart” find them through the grace of Christ. It’s a beautiful journey toward a deeper connection with God. The First Reading from Cf. Zephaniah (2:3; 3:12-13) CSB p1299-1300 encourages the “remnant of Israel,” specifically the humble and lowly, to actively seek the Lord and pursue justice. This call mirrors the message in the Second Reading from Cf. 1 Corinthians (1:26-31) CSB p1602, where Paul highlights God’s choice to elevate what is weak, foolish, and lowly in the eyes of the world to shame the strong. This illustrates that true wisdom is found in God. Cf. Psalm 146:7-9 CSB p832 complements this theme, assuring us that God stands by and protects those who seek refuge in Him. He lifts up the oppressed and cares for the vulnerable, while also reigning eternally as a faithful and righteous ruler.
Furthermore, the Beatitudes in Ibid. Matthew 5:1-12a hold a vital place in the Catholic Catechism (Cf. III. Christian Beatitude No. 1720) and serve as a cornerstone of the Sermon on the Mount. They offer a profound Christological portrait, depicting Jesus as poor, meek, merciful, and pure. More than mere ethical guidelines, the Beatitudes fulfil the promises made to the chosen people since Abraham, signaling the arrival of the Kingdom of God and embodying the essence of Jesus’ teachings.
According to the teachings of the Catholic Church (CCC), the Beatitudes are fundamental to understanding Jesus’ message and fulfilling the divine promises. They reveal essential characteristics of the Church and its mission, as noted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC No. 256). Importantly, these qualities are not inherent to the Church alone; rather, it is Christ, through the Holy Spirit, who unifies His Church, making it one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. Embracing this mission allows the Church to live out its commitment to the values of the Gospel in a meaningful way.
In connection with the Gospel of Ibid. Matthew 5:1-12, known as the Beatitudes, we recognize that these teachings do not serve as a literal legal code within the Code of Canon Law. Instead, they form a spiritual foundation and moral framework for the Church’s internal legal system.
In our Catholic theology, the Beatitudes shine as the “New Law” given by Jesus, the “New Moses,” from a mountain. While the Code of Canon Law lays down the technical rules for the Church’s visible structure, the Beatitudes illuminate the internal “law of the heart” that these external rules are meant to serve. The ultimate purpose of Canon Law is the “salvation of souls,” as stated in the final canon (Can. 1752). The Beatitudes describe specific attitudes such as mercy, meekness, and peace that lead us toward this salvation. As followers of Christ, we find guidance for justice and mercy in the Gospel, particularly this 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Beatitudes like “Blessed are the merciful” and “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” inspire ecclesiastical judges and administrators in their application of the law. Ultimately, Canon Law is not a rigid system of “legalism,” but a dynamic tool for justice, infused with the mercy found in the Gospel.
The connection between Christ’s teachings and His personal example is an essential part of what it means to be His follower. His truths go beyond just philosophical arguments, and we should strive to share His message in a way that reflects that deeper meaning. As Saint Pope Paul VI beautifully mentioned in Evangelii Nuntiandi, “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it’s because they are witnesses.”
At the heart of it all is a beautiful message, God is especially near to those who are humble and going through tough times. Jesus invites us to embrace a simpler, “voluntarily stripped life” to build a closer relationship with Him.
For Reflection and Discussion:
1. How do the Beatitudes challenge the way you think about success and happiness? Which of the Beatitudes (e.g., poor in spirit, merciful, meek) do I need to embody more in my daily life?
2. Do I trust that following Jesus’ path, leads to true, lasting happiness, or am I seeking fulfillment through worldly measures?
Bibliography: Donald Senior, ET Al; The Catholic Study Bible 3rd Edition 2010; The New American Bible, Saint Joseph Edition 2011;The Catholic Prayer Bible 1993; Brown R.E; An Introduction to the New Testament 1997 p248;Liddell & Scott’s: Greek-English Lexicon 1889;McKenzie, J.L. Dictionary of the Bible (NewYork:1965);The Code of Canon Law;Hubertus R. Drobner “THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH”;Cathechism of the Catholic Church, United States of America copyright 1994, United States Catholic Conference, Inc. Libreria Editrice Vaticana;;www.vatican.va/content/catechism;www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_exhortations/evangelii-nuntiandi;
This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Dunhill Malunar Timkang, Jerusalem – Israel, Bat Kol Secretary
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