Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sr. Denise Curry, SNDdeN
February 1, 2026
Matthew 5: 1-12
The element of surprise.
Ordinarily we don’t think of those who hunger and thirst as being satiated. We don’t think of the Kingdom of Heaven being handed over to the persecuted.
Though not all surprises are welcome, these in today’s Gospel are wonderful. Life is truly exciting and unpredictable. The Kingdom of Heaven! Inheriting the land! Comfort! Satisfaction!
But that’s if you focus on the rewards.
Focusing on the mourners, the meek and even the clean of heart, the world despises them. They are considered absurd, a remnant only, not well-born, of no account. But, Jesus says, they will shame the wise and the powerful.
What does it mean to be a mourner, meek, and clean of heart in real life today? It must feel like being a Palestinian or an immigrant. They are abused, displaced, denied basic rights and treated with contempt. – with no end in sight. With-no-end-in-sight. It seems they will be waiting a long time for days of glory.
Can we hasten the day when they will be relieved of and rewarded for their suffering? Can we surprise the oppressor by handing over our cloak and our tunic?
This is our NOW. It’s our HERE. It’s OUR TIME. We’re in uncharted territory. We don’t know what to do. Let’s do it anyway -something that surprises even us.
We may be kneeling in the snow a long time like the clergy in Minnesota, but it will become clear to us what to do.
Matthew 5: 1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord
Meet Sister Denise Curry, SNDdeN
