Homily for the 4th Sunday, Year A: February 1, 2026
Blessed Are You… When God’s Way Looks Weak but Changes the World
FRIENDS, today’s Gospel opens with a quiet but revolutionary image:
Jesus goes up the mountain. He sits down. He opens His mouth—and He teaches.
What follows is not a motivational speech. Not a political manifesto. Not a self-help program. It is a reversal of the world’s logic.
The world says: Blessed are the powerful.
Jesus says: Blessed are the poor in spirit.
The world says: Blessed are those who win, dominate, and are admired.
Jesus says: Blessed are the meek, the merciful, the persecuted.
On that mountain, Jesus doesn’t describe how the world works.
He reveals how the Kingdom of God works.
And the Kingdom always looks weak—until it changes everything.
1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit” – because they know they need God
To be poor in spirit is not about lacking money.
It is about refusing the illusion of self-sufficiency.
The poor in spirit are those who say, “Lord, without You, I cannot live, I cannot love, I cannot endure.”
This is the widow who keeps praying.
The exhausted caregiver who whispers, “Jesus, help me.”
The sinner who kneels and says, “Have mercy on me.”
And Jesus looks at them and says,
“The Kingdom of Heaven already belongs to you.”
Not later.
Not someday.
Now.
2. “Blessed are those who mourn” – because God is not afraid of your tears
Jesus does not say, “Blessed are those who deny their pain.”
He says, “Blessed are those who mourn.”
Our God does not shame grief.
He enters it.
He wept at Lazarus’ tomb.
He cried out on the Cross.
He still collects every tear you have ever shed.
If you are grieving a loved one…
If you are mourning a broken dream…
If you are carrying silent sorrow…
Hear this clearly:
Your tears are holy ground.
And God Himself will comfort you.
3. “Blessed are the meek” – because strength under control saves souls
Meekness is not weakness.
Meekness is power disciplined by love.
It is the strength to forgive when revenge feels easier.
The courage to remain gentle in a brutal world.
The humility to listen instead of dominate.
Jesus—the meekest man who ever lived—
overturned the powers of sin and death.
And He says:
“This is how My followers change the world.”
4. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” – because God satisfies holy desire
Some people hunger for success.
Others thirst for recognition.
But the saints hunger for holiness.
They long for justice, truth, mercy, and faithfulness—not just in the world, but in their own hearts.
If you ache to be better…
If you are restless for God…
If you desire holiness more than comfort…
Jesus promises:
You will be filled.
5. “Blessed are the persecuted” – because heaven sees what the world rejects
The final Beatitudes remind us:
Living the Gospel will cost us something.
You may be misunderstood.
You may be mocked.
You may feel alone for choosing Christ.
But Jesus does not say, “Blessed are you if everyone applauds you.”
He says,
“Rejoice and be glad—your reward will be great in heaven.”
What the world rejects, heaven celebrates.
Conclusion: The Beatitudes are not ideals—they are a portrait
Dear friends, the Beatitudes are not just commandments.
They are a portrait of Jesus Himself.
And today, Jesus looks at you and says:
“Come. Follow Me.
Live this way.
Trust My promises.
And you will be blessed—not as the world defines blessing, but as God does.”
May we dare to believe Him.
May we live the Beatitudes.
And may our lives quietly, courageously proclaim:
The Kingdom of God is already among us.
Amen.
