Readings for
Sunday, January 31, 1999
Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time

(From the Revised Standard Version English Bible
unless otherwise indicated)

First Reading

3: Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the wrath of the LORD.

12: For I will leave in the midst of you a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD,
13: those who are left in Israel; they shall do no wrong and utter no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall pasture and lie down, and none shall make them afraid."

6: who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith for ever;
7: who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free;
8: the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.
9: The LORD watches over the sojourners, he upholds the widow and the fatherless; but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
10: The LORD will reign for ever, thy God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!

26: For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth;
27: but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong,
28: God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
29: so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
30: He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption;
31: therefore, as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord."

1: Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him.
2: And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11: "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12: Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.