Daily Readings - Sun Jan 29 2023

Zephaniah

Chapter 2

³Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger.

¹²But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the LORD.¹³The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid."

1 Corinthians

Chapter 1

²⁶Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.²⁷But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.²⁸He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are,²⁹so that no one may boast before him.³⁰It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.³¹Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

Matthew

Chapter 5

¹Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,²and he began to teach them saying:³"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.⁴Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.⁵Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.⁷Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.⁸Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.⁹Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.¹¹"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who 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.