Resources for Lectionary Cycle A
Resources for Lectionary Cycle B
Resources for Lectionary Cycle C
The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on acknowledging Jesus as the ultimate authority in our lives and the call to renounce worldly values to follow Him. It encourages active pursuit of God rather than passive waiting. Themes of conversion and magisterium are pertinent, highlighting the challenges and adversities faced in discipleship. This Sunday serves as an opportunity to discuss perseverance, trust in God, and coping with rejection. It's a vital time for youth ministry, religious education, and families to explore these concepts, fostering a deeper commitment to Jesus and resilience in faith journeys.
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A: Sunday February 1, 2026
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B: Sunday January 31, 2027
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C: Sunday January 30, 2028
Mass Readings for 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Sunday February 1, 2026See 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 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Sunday January 31, 2027See 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 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Sunday January 30, 2028See 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.
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