The selected reflections for the week:
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
FIRST READING: Zephaniah 2:3; 3: 12-13
RESPONSORIAL PSALM: (Psalm 146:6-7.8-9a.9bc-10 (R. Matthew 5:3)
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 5:1-12a
ANTHONY C. ONUMAJURUMy humble reflection
The first reading, from the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah (Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12–13), calls us to seek the Lord. To seek the Lord can be expressed in many ways:
to long for the Lord, to search for the Lord, to walk with the Lord, to dwell in the presence of the Lord, to make our home with the Lord, to settle our lives in the Lord.
This invitation naturally leads us to some important and soul-searching questions:
- Who will seek the Lord?
- How do we seek the Lord?
- When do we seek the Lord?
- Where do we seek the Lord?
These are reflective questions we must ask ourselves daily as we examine our lives.
The answer to the first question is already given in the same reading:
“Who will seek the Lord?” — All you humble of the land, who carry out his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility.
The remaining questions invite deeper personal reflection:
Do we seek the Lord with humility or with pride?
Do we seek Him only in moments of crisis and abandon Him when life becomes comfortable?
Do we seek Him in unholy ways, cutting corners and compromising our values?
The second reading, from the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1:31), reminds us: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Our confidence, our pride, and our glory must be rooted not in ourselves, but in God alone.
Finally, the Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 5:1–12a) opens our eyes to the abundant blessings promised to those who truly seek the Lord.
Those who seek Him with humility will be comforted, satisfied, shown mercy, and strengthened. Above all, their reward will be great in heaven.
May the good Lord grant us the grace of humility as we worship Him, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Benedicamus Dominus … Deo Gratias
GLORIA OBASOGIEMY REFLECTION
THE GOSPEL
Jesus goes up the mountain and teaches the Beatitudes, often called the foundation of Christian living.
Unlike the worldly way of thinking, Jesus calls blessed:
The poor in spirit.
The meek.
Those who mourn.
The merciful.
The pure in heart.
The peacemakers.
Those who are persecuted.
These people are not weak or helpless. They are men and women who choose God’s ways instead of worldly gain.
The Beatitudes are not only about heaven in the future. They show us who Jesus Himself is. Jesus is humble, gentle, merciful, and rejected. When we live the Beatitudes, we are living the life of Christ, and God’s Kingdom becomes real among us now here on earth.
The Beatitudes also challenge us to stand against corruption, tribalism, and oppression by choosing humility, justice, mercy, and peace.
Generally, living the Beatitudes means:
- Choosing honesty instead of selfish gain,
- Choosing mercy instead of revenge,
- Choosing truth instead of popularity,
- Choosing faithfulness instead of comfort.
This way of life is not easy, but it brings deep and lasting joy.
The Beatitudes are not meant for a few special people. They are the true identity of every Christian and God’s promise to those who live humbly.
God’s Ways Are Not Ours
God’s wisdom is unlike human wisdom, and His ways are far beyond our understanding.
Everything He does is for the glory of His holy name and for the good of those who love Him.
While people often rely on their own assumptions and standards, God chooses what the world overlooks—the poor, the uneducated, the unnoticed, the homeless, those without status or recognition—to accomplish His divine purpose. In doing so, He ensures that no one relies on privilege or personal merit as a measure of worthiness. Instead, all glory and praise belong to Him alone, so that no one boasts in their own strength but in God’s power and grace.
We are therefore reminded to remain humble, never lose hope in ourselves, and continually seek the Lord.
Glory to Jesus.
Honour to Mary and Joseph.
Today’s readings gently overturn the way the world defines success and happiness. God does not draw close to the proud or self-sufficient, but to the humble and lowly who seek refuge in Him (Zephaniah). True security is found not in power or status, but in trusting God.
St. Paul reminds us that God deliberately chooses what the world calls weak and foolish, so that no one may boast except in the Lord. Everything we are comes from Him. Grace, not achievement, is our true identity.
In the Gospel, Jesus proclaims the Beatitudes—a radical vision of blessedness. The poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, and the persecuted are called blessed because their hearts are open to God. The Beatitudes do not deny suffering; they reveal God’s presence within it.
The message is clear: humility is strength, dependence on God is freedom, and true joy is found not in having more, but in belonging to God.
SHARING MY REFLECTION
As Christians, we are called to keep our eyes on the joy that awaits us in heaven, a joy far greater than anything this world can offer. Jesus reminds us that our true reward is not here but in eternity, so even when life brings trials, we should not lose hope or compare our journey with others. We are people on a journey toward an eternal home, and this is the hope we profess as Catholics: the joyful hope of the resurrection and life in the world to come.
How we prepare for eternity depends greatly on how we understand and imagine eternal life. Many people struggle to look forward to heaven because they have formed a false or limited picture of it in their minds. This isn't only wrong it is also impossible, Scripture reminds us that no human eye has seen or ear heard, nor can the human heart fully imagine what God has prepared for those who love Him. (Isaiah 64:4, 1 Corinthians 2:9).
Please note: You must be employed First by an organization before you can have you name in their payroll, this is why: The promises of heavenly rewards and Blessings are for those that "Love God" not those that merely observe some codes of conducts.
In the Gospels, the Beatitudes serve as the new covenant codes/ commandments for our lives. Just as Moses received the commandments on Mount Sinai, Jesus taught the new way of life on the mountain too, calling us to live by love, humility, mercy, and faith. Jesus is the mediator of this new and everlasting covenant, fulfilling all earlier covenants like the Adamic, Mosaic, Divinic covenants.
God Himself set the terms of all this covenant and invites us to walk in it. We get rewarded with Blessings when we live according to His terms of the covenant, while turning away from them leads us off the path as eventually bring Curses.
This is where many misunderstand the faith. Good character alone is not enough if it is separated from Christ. One may appear gentle, humble, or pure, but without first believing in and confessing Christ, the purpose is missed. We cannot receive a reward from someone we are not serving. Our place in God’s plan is not earned by our works alone, it was already paid for by Christ. Because of this, we do not boast, but remain forever grateful, striving to live faithfully until the end. May God give us grace to finish this race well and emerge victorious, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
My Reflection today is from the second reading...
This part of the reading reminds us that cut out of God we are nothing. It reminds us that we are who we are not because of our qualifications or status or your commitment in the house of worship but because He has shown us mercy.
It also teaches us that to be used by God, one doesn't look out for those who feel they have arrived rather he comes for those not so or not at all qualified that He may prune them to suit His divine purpose. It is only those who make themselves available that He will use.
God is not after our perfection because he knows we all are still a work in progress rather He values our efforts.
So my dear brethren, to be valued in life we need visibility and this can only come from God. All we need do is humble yourself before Him, surrender to His guidance, Let Him know that what you know is nothing that He may teach you something making you a somebody when you are perceived a nobody.
May God help us all through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen
