The 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time | Sunday 29 January 2023

0:00

Today is Sunday the 29th of January, beginning the 4th week of Ordinary time.

Jon Guerra sings, ‘Kingdom of God’.

Oh that I could see your face

How I'm longing for the day

Brighter sun of holy grace

Make my heart a holy place

Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own

Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone

Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go

For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God

And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God

And they will find a refuge for theirs in the kingdom of God

Beauty shining from your face

Always longed to see this place

Is there somewhere I can stay?

Even just a couple days?

Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own

Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone

Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go

For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God

And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God

And they will find a refuge for theirs in the kingdom of God

The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want

In valley or pasture, we shall not want

Our cup runneth over and over

For now and forever

For now and forever

The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want

In valley or pasture, we shall not want

Our cup runneth over and over

For now and forever

For now and forever

For now and forever

For now and forever

Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own

Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone

Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go

For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God

And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God

And they will find a refuge for theirs in the kingdom of God

Oh that I could see your face

How I'm longing for the day

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

‘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.

This is the opening of the famous Sermon on the mount. Jesus is speaking to a large crowd of people. On so many occasions, his teaching is turning the world upside down. Look at the people in that crowd with your mind’s eye and see if you can find the following groups:

Those who know they are poor in spirit and have to rely on God . . .

Those who mourn because they loved someone dearly or loved something good . . .

Find someone who is passionate about justice, who feels the pain of injustice keenly . . .

And find someone who is really suffering because they’re trying to do the right thing, and it’s hard for them, and they are wondering whether it’s worth it . . .

Are you in that crowd too? Do you need to be addressed and encouraged by Jesus? . . .

Now listen to him again and notice how his words touch these different people in the crowd . . .

Speaking words of encouragement to people in need. What’s that like for Jesus? Ask him and find out . . .

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.