HOMILY: Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12–13 | 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 | Matthew 5:1–12a
1 February 2026
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA
Once, I had a conversation with a newly turned senior citizen (he had just turned 60). He said, “Father, I noticed something changed in me when I turned 60.” He said that before, he could not sit still whenever he was accused of something based on a wrong assumption. He felt he had to explain and correct every rumour just to clear his name. Now, he says, “Father, now, sometimes I just let it be.” He laughed a little and added, “Not because they are right — but because I am already tired.” We both laughed because we both understood.
You reach a certain point in life — usually in your 60’s — when you realise everything not all battles need to be fought. Not because you are a coward, but because you already know what truly matters, and which things should simply be let go. We learn to choose our battles! We begin to realise: proving ourselves is tiring. It is exhausting to keep defending yourself at every opportunity. It is exhausting to keep showing that you are right, good, worthy — especially when you know that no matter how much you explain, there are people who simply refuse to understand. That, brothers and sisters, is not a moment of weakness, but rather the beginning of wisdom.
This is exactly the kind of wisdom we hear in today’s readings. Zephaniah speaks of a people who are lowly and humble. They do not hurt others. They are not deceitful. They simply trust in the name of the Lord. Despite the many hardships they have gone through, they will not go home weeping. God Himself will lift them up from where they have fallen. He will elevate them by His own power and rebuild what was lost.
St. Paul, in our Second Reading, is very direct — almost blunt. “Consider your calling,” (1 Corinthians 1:26) he says. You were not chosen because you are talented, famous, or impressive. God chose what is weak, what is ordinary, what the world easily ignores. In other words: God is not impressed by resumes. God looks for hearts that are free.
St. Paul ends by saying “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:31) Apart from God, we are nothing and have nothing. In life, we can lose everything — health, wealth, power, fame, and even loved ones, but God is the only one with the power to restore all those things to us, just as He did with His servant Job. It is our connection with Christ, our relationship with God, that is our true treasure and pride — the only thing worth preserving and fighting for.
The Gospel only emphasises this theme of humility before God when we hear the Beatitudes. Jesus does not say:
Blessed are the achievers.
Blessed are the winners.
Blessed are those with all the answers.
Rather He says:
Blessed are the poor in spirit.
Blessed are the meek.
Blessed are the merciful.
These are not the words of someone glorifying weakness. These are the words of someone describing inner strength. You see, God’s favour and blessings are not a reward for “winning” at life. It is a comfort for those who recognise they are incomplete without Him.
The person who turned 60 and shared his story with me — did not become oblivious or “deadma” to the world. He did not stop caring. He simply stopped proving himself. He no longer needed to win every argument, correct every accusation, or explain himself to everyone. That kind of freedom is rare because the strongest people are not those who shout the loudest but instead, they are those who know who they are in God’s eyes — even when misunderstood. They can walk away, keep their peace, and sleep well at night. By learning to let go of grudges, of irritations, and of many things that spark anger, hatred and discord, they make room in his life to better receive the graces from heaven. That confidence in God’s providence for all their needs is enough. This assurance is what floods him with peace.
Today, at this mass, Jesus is blessing many people here — those who are tired, those who have lived long enough to know what really matters, those who no longer need to prove they are good. If we feel these words are describing us, then let us hear this clearly: we may not look impressive to the world, we may feel like we are losers according to the standards of the world — but because we are here, keeping close to God, we are most blessed in His eyes. We will receive all that we need, in God’s time.
Sunday Gospel Reflections 