Daily Readings - Sun Jan 29 2023
Zephaniah
3Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.
12I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.13The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
1 Corinthians
26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:29That no flesh should glory in his presence.30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Matthew
1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound values of humility and trust in God. The prophet Zephaniah urges us to seek the Lord with meekness and faith, promising rest and security for those who remain faithful. This message is echoed in the Beatitudes from Matthew's Gospel, where Jesus blesses the meek, the poor in spirit, and those who endure persecution for justice. These teachings highlight that true blessedness comes not from worldly strength but from a humble and trusting heart.
The second reading from Corinthians reinforces this theme by emphasizing God's preference for the weak and humble. Paul reminds us that our glory should be in the Lord, not in our own strengths. This aligns with Jesus' message, showing that God's ways are often counterintuitive to the world's standards. Together, these readings invite us to embrace humility and trust in God's plan, recognizing that our true strength comes from Him.
In our daily lives, let us strive to embody these values. May we find joy in humility, comfort in mourning, and peace in persecution. Let us trust in God's judgment and seek His will, knowing that our reward lies in heaven. As we navigate life's challenges, may we remember that true greatness is found in meekness and mercy, reflecting the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ.