First Reading
A reading from the prophet Zephaniah 2:3;3:12-13
Seek the Lord all you, the humble of the earth, who obey his commands. Seek
integrity, seek humility: you may perhaps find shelter on the day of the anger of the
Lord. In your midst I will leave a humble and lowly people, and those who are left in
Israel will seek refuge in the name of the Lord.
They will do no wrong, will tell no lies; abnd the perjured tongue will no longer be
found in their mouths. But they will be able to graze and rest with no one to disturb
them.
Responsorial Psalm
How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
It is he who keeps faith for ever,
who is just to those who are oppressed.
It is he who gives bread to the hungry,
the Lord, who sets prisoners free.
It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind,
who raises up those who are bowed down,
the Lord, who protects the stranger
and upholds the widow and orphan.
It is the Lord who loves the just
but thwarts the path of the wicked.
The Lord will reign for ever,
Zion's God, from age to age.
Second Reading
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 1:26-31
Take yourselves for instance, brothers, at the time when you were called: how many of
you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or
came from noble families?
No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is toolish by human reckoning, and
to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom
the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen - those
who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything.
The human race has nothing to boast about to God. But you, God has made members
of Christ Jesus and by God's doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our
holiness, and our freedom. As scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast
about the Lord.
Gospel
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 5:1-12
Glory to you, Lord. Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and
was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
"How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy the gentle:
they shall have the earth for their heritage. Happy those who mourn: they shall be
comforted. Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied.
Happy the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them. Happy the pure in heart: they
shall see God. Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God. Happy those
who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy are
you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against
you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven."
