4th Sunday A

Welcome to our Bible Study 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time A January 30, 2011 In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1 st reading: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 2,3 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. 3,12 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; 13 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.

1 st reading: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 2,3 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. 3,12 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; 13 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. The focus is on humility .

1 st reading: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 2,3 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. 3,12 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; 13 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. Commentary Zephaniah is a prophet before the Exile. He is a cultic prophet interested in the Temple and its rites. 2,3 contains 3 imperatives Seek the Lord Seek justice Seek humility The addressees are the humble of the earth, the less fortunate. The purpose: that they may be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger (when there is a judgment).

1 st reading: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 2,3 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. 3,12 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; 13 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. 3,12 is God’s promise to preserve a humble and lowly remnant people to the humble of the earth. Vv.12-13 give the characteristics of the remnant people. Shall take refuge in the name of the Lord. Shall do no wrong and speak no lies A deceitful tongue not found in their mouths. They observe his law (2,3) These resound Psalm 15, a ritual prayer recited by the pilgrims before entering the Temple. The last part of v.13 assures the humble remnants of a safe pasture of their flocks. No one will disturb their livelihood.

Reflections on the 1 st reading We must learn how to be humble. To be humble is to keep God’s laws. As humble people, we must know our priority: to seek God, justice and humility. We pray that God sends us humble people to accompany us. They are God-fearing. They don’t dare to do their own thing. God protects them as they work for a living.

Resp. Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 R. (Mt 5:3) Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs! 6 The LORD keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, 7 gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free. 8 The LORD gives sight to the blind; the LORD raises up those who were bowed down. 9 The LORD loves the just; the LORD protects strangers. 9 The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. 10 The LORD shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.

Resp. Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 R. (Mt 5:3) Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs! 6 The LORD keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, 7 gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free. 8 The LORD gives sight to the blind; the LORD raises up those who were bowed down. 9 The LORD loves the just; the LORD protects strangers. 9 The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. 10 The LORD shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia. Commentary The psalm affirms God’s affection and special attention to the poor. The poor are spelled out as: Oppressed, v.6 Hungry, v.7 Captives, v.7 Blind, v.8 Bowed down, humiliated, v.8 The just, v.9 Strangers, v.9 The fatherless and the widow, v.9 They have their corresponding blessings: Faith, justice, v.6 Food, freedom. V.7 Sight, raising up, v.8 Love, protection v. 9 Sustenance, v.9 God has no heart for the wicked, for those who cause sufferings to the poor. V.10 affirms the eternity of God’s reign of justice and peace.

Reflections on the Psalm We are reminded that God loves the poor. He helps them get out of their misery. Don’t think that God has abandoned them. In contrast, God blocks the evil plans of the wicked. Warning to the wicked: Don’t continue with your evil plans. You may apparently succeed, but God will come and get you.

2 nd reading:1 Corinthians 1:26-31 26 Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, 28 and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, 29 so that no human being might boast before God. 30 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, 31 so that, as it is written, "Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord."

2 nd reading:1 Corinthians 1:26-31 26 Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, 28 and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, 29 so that no human being might boast before God. 30 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, 31 so that, as it is written, "Whoever boasts , should boast in the Lord." The focus is on God’s choosing the weak .

2 nd reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Calling 26 Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. God’s favorite: the foolish 27 Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, 28 and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, 29 so that no human being might boast before God. Christ: the wisdom 30 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, 31 so that, as it is written, "Whoever boasts , should boast in the Lord." A simple outline!

2 nd reading:1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Calling 26 Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. God’s favorite: the foolish 27 Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, 28 and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, 29 so that no human being might boast before God. Christ: the wisdom 30 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, 31 so that, as it is written, "Whoever boasts , should boast in the Lord." Commentary Not many Corinthian Christians are wise, powerful and of noble birth. V.26 Many Corinthian Christians come from poor families. Only a few belong to the elite. There are more foolish , weak and lowly people in the Corinthian church. But they can be very useful to God: The foolish to shame the few wise The weak to shame the strong. V.27 The lowly to reduce to nothing those who are something. V.28 V.29 gives the over-all purpose of God: No human being should boast before God. Christ is identified as: wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. V.30 V.31 repeats the reasoning in v.29: Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.

Reflections on the 2 nd reading In our churches, not all our members are smart (intelligent, fast learners, etc.). In fact, many are average or below average (slow learners). But many more are much, much below average (they don’t learn at all, no matter what). The reading warns us not to despise these little and humble ones, who are materially and intellectually poor. In the eyes of God, they are useful to humble the wise, to test our patience and other virtues. Boasting has no place in the church, except in Christ.

Gospel reading: Matthew 5:1-12a 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

Gospel reading: Matthew 5:1-12a 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit , for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek , for they will inherit the land. 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. The focus is on the meek (humble).

Gospel reading: Matthew 5:1-12a Setting 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He began to teach them, saying: The Beatitudes 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit , for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek , for they will inherit the land. 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. A beatitude of different formulation 11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. The Imperatives 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. A simple outline!

Gospel reading: Matthew 5:1-12a Setting 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He began to teach them, saying: The 8 Beatitudes 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit , for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek , for they will inherit the land. 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. A beatitude of different formulation 11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. The Imperatives 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Commentary V.1 provides the setting of the Beatitudes. The mountain referred to (Mt. Tabgha today), is not really a mountain. The rabbis sit down as they teach. Jesus sits down as he teaches. Let us pay attention to the beatitude in v.5, which is about the meek people. It is close to the themes of the 1 st and 2 nd readings. It is hard to focus on each beatitude, because each one is a focus in itself. Vv.11-12 go together. The reward for v.11 is in v.12. V.12 contains two imperatives which mean the same thing: rejoice and be glad .

Reflections on the gospel reading The gospel reading summarizes who a true and happy follower of Jesus is. All the 8 beatitudes mentioned must be found in every disciple. To those who are seeking perfection, they should not miss a single beatitude. To check ourselves, we must ask the following questions: Am I poor in spirit? Am I meek? Am I a peacemaker? Etc… If we live according to the beatitudes, we are happy. We cannot experience blessedness and happiness, if we live to the contrary.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit 4 Blessed are they who mourn,. 5 Blessed are the meek , 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 7 Blessed are the merciful, 8 Blessed are the clean of heart. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, The contrary are: They don’t need God. They are self-sufficient. They always want gimmicks. They don’t show solidarity to the poor and the oppressed. They always think of gratifying themselves. They are proud and arrogant. They think they know everything. They think they know what they are doing. They are self-righteous. They have no sense of sincere and honest relationships. They are hostile. They are tyrants. They are heartless. They inflict pain on other people. They withhold their support to the needy. They are full of malice. They have bad motives, even in doing good. They are war freaks. They always start a fight. They challenge. They play games with other people. They persecute. They silence the good people. In other words, they can’t build good relationships with other people and with God. They cannot build the Church.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm In the first reading , God addresses himself to the humble and lowly to seek God, justice and humility. In the psalm , God sides with the poor and humble . In the second reading , God prefers the weak . In the gospel , for the purpose of focusing, we choose “Blessed are the meek …” because this is the theme of the 1 st two readings.

How to develop your homily/sharing What is to be meek ? What is to be humble ? We, Christians, must learn how to be humble and meek, to be acceptable to God.

In the first reading , God asks the humble and lowly to seek God, justice and humility. In the first place, we are supposed to be humble. Humble people are not offensive and threatening, but they accomplish God’s plan. God works best with the humble.

In the second reading, God uses the humble to shame the arrogant. The poor, wise and ignorant are not useless in the eyes of God. We should not reject them. They have a big role in humbling us. No one should boast of her / his wisdom, knowledge, wealth and accomplishments. Boasting turns God off. It is attributing one’s success to oneself.

In the gospel reading, Jesus teaches 8 beatitudes, all of which revolve around meekness, as read along with the 1 st and 2 nd readings. Let us believe that meekness (humility) is the key towards being poor in spirit, merciful and kind, in solidarity with the afflicted, being peacemaker, etc. Meekness is the starting point to accomplish God’s plan in us.

We cannot share in the mission of Christ if we appear arrogant and proud. We cannot enter into people’s lives if we brandish our accumulated wealth, data, learning and academic degrees to them. When advancing God’s kingdom, we leave behind all those garbage. They are foolishness in the eyes of God. What matters are the values of the kingdom.

In the church, we have no right to boast that we have attended a lot of formation seminars, or trainings, or, that we have been serving for more than 10 years, if we do not show it in the way we live our lives! Talented people, inventors, good speakers do not take pride in their accomplishments. If you notice, when you are congratulating them after a terrific performance, they just give a little smile. They know someone is better. Or, they know that the glory is not theirs, but God’s. Christian discipleship consists in being humble. A true and authentic Christian disciple follows Christ, who showed himself to be humble in his incarnation and in all things, from birth to death.

The eucharist is a sacrament of humility. It is received only by humble and meek people, who recognize the greatness of God and their littleness. In the eucharist , once again, Jesus humbles himself by appearing as bread and wine. In the eucharist , we affirm that the Church is built by humble and meek people. In the eucharist , we affirm that the world is changed by humble people.

Our Context of Sin and Grace Arrogant, haughty Showy Proud Grandstanding Boastful, braggart Oppressive Elitist Choosy, picky Unjust Oppressive Justice and Peace Movements Knows oneself Unpretentious Meek and mild Solidarity Humble St. Francis of Assisi Follows Christ The End

Suggested Songs Beatitudes Mapapalad Come Build My Church http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZugkzkgjDk OLAS Stage Play on humble St. Francis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJLm0T0_7Ck For past issues of the Bible Study https://sites.google.com/site/olasianofm/

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