4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on trusting God and living with humility. In one Gospel, Jesus teaches the Beatitudes, which show that true happiness comes from being poor in spirit, gentle, and pure in heart. Another Gospel tells how people are amazed by Jesus’ authority, even as others question Him. Jesus speaks and acts with power, but He remains humble and close to those in need.

The readings also speak about being faithful, even when it is hard. One year includes the story of a prophet who feels too young to speak, but God gives him courage. Paul writes about choosing what is simple and lowly, not what the world sees as great. The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time reminds us that God lifts up the lowly and speaks through those who trust Him. We are called to listen, follow, and live with quiet strength.

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, and more. See how to determine the correct year.

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Mass Readings for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

See resources, homilies, and more for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A readings here.

• First Reading – Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13: Seek the Lord, practice righteousness, and seek humility before the day of judgment comes upon them. The Lord promises to leave a remnant of humble and lowly people in Israel who will trust in His name and not do iniquity, and they will become a praise and a name among all the nations of the earth.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 146: Praise the Lord for his faithfulness and justice. He cares for the poor, oppressed, hungry, blind, and those who are strangers. The Lord will reign forever, bringing hope and comfort to the people of Zion.
• Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31: Paul reminds the Corinthians that not many of them were wise, powerful, or of noble birth when they were called by God, but rather God chose the foolish and weak to shame the wise and strong. He emphasizes that it is only through Christ Jesus that we are made righteous, and thus we should not boast in ourselves but rather in the Lord.
• Gospel – Matthew 5:1-12A: Jesus gives us the Beatitudes, the characteristics of those who are blessed in God’s eyes. He teaches that those who are poor in spirit, mournful, meek, hungry and thirsty for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted for righteousness’ sake will receive great blessings in heaven.

Mass Readings for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

See resources, homilies, and more for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B readings here.

• First Reading – Deuteronomy 18:15-20: Moses tells the Israelites that God will raise up a prophet from among them who will speak God’s words to them, and they should listen to him. Moses warns the people that anyone who speaks in the name of other gods or falsely claims to speak for God will be put to death.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 95: Sing joyfully to the Lord and come into his presence with thanksgiving, acknowledging him as God and shepherd. Listen to God and do not turn away from him, as the Israelites did in the desert.
• Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 7:32-35: Paul advises the Corinthians that it is better to remain unmarried and focused on serving the Lord, rather than being distracted by the concerns and responsibilities of marriage. He explains that the unmarried person is able to devote themselves entirely to God, while the married person must divide their time and attention between their spouse and their service to God.
• Gospel – Mark 1:21-28: This gospel recounts Jesus’ visit to a synagogue in Capernaum, where he teaches with authority and casts out an unclean spirit from a man. The people are amazed at his power and authority, and his fame begins to spread throughout the region.

Mass Readings for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

See resources, homilies, and more for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C readings here.

• First Reading – Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19: God calls Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations, assuring him that he was chosen for this purpose even before he was born. God encourages Jeremiah to not be afraid, but rather to stand firm and speak his words boldly, promising to protect him from his enemies and deliver him from harm.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 71: Trust and depend on the Lord for salvation and protection from the wicked. The Lord is a rock of refuge and a source of strength and hope throughout life.
• Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13: Paul emphasizes the importance of love in the Christian community, asserting that even if someone has impressive gifts, knowledge, or faith, without love, they are nothing. He describes the characteristics of love as patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant or rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, and rejoicing in truth, and he affirms that love never fails.
• Gospel – Luke 4:21-30: Jesus visits his hometown of Nazareth, where he reads from the book of Isaiah in the synagogue and declares that the prophecy has been fulfilled in him. The people initially respond with amazement and praise, but when Jesus challenges their lack of faith and implies that he has come for the benefit of non-Jews as well as Jews, they become angry and attempt to harm him.

Lookup Other Liturgical Dates in the Lectionary

The Bible is the full book of Scripture. The Lectionary is a book used at Mass that includes selected Bible readings. These readings are chosen to fit the Church year and help us focus on key parts of our faith. The Lectionary does not include every Bible verse. Each Sunday, like the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, has its own readings that guide the themes of the day and connect to the liturgical season.

The Lectionary follows a set cycle. Sundays use a three-year cycle: Year A, Year B, and Year C. Each year focuses on a different Gospel. Weekday readings follow a two-year cycle. The Gospel of John is often read during Lent and Easter. In the United States, the New American Bible is the version used at Mass. This ensures that all Catholics hear the same Scripture, including the readings chosen for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

How to Determine the Liturgical Year

The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.

• 2024 is Year B
• 2025 is Year C
• 2026 is Year A
• 2027 is Year B
• 2028 is Year C
• 2029 is Year A
• 2030 is Year B
• 2031 is Year C
• … and so on

The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time shows us that God values what the world often overlooks. In one Gospel, Jesus teaches the Beatitudes. He blesses the poor, the meek, and those who suffer. These blessings show that God’s way is different from what people expect.

In another year, we hear that Jesus teaches with authority. People are surprised because He does not speak like others. He also heals someone, showing His power and care. Some welcome Him, while others reject Him because they cannot accept who He really is.

Paul reminds us that God chooses what is small and weak to show His strength. We do not need to be wise or powerful in the world’s eyes. We just need to trust in God.

The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time calls us to live with humility and faith. It tells us that God is close to those who are lowly and open to His will.

The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time invites us to look at how we treat others. Do we value people the way God does?

Read the Scripture readings and reflect on what stands out to you. Share a thought or personal experience in the comment section. Your story may help someone else.