First reading Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13

‘I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly.’

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.

  I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord, those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

The word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm Ps 146(145):6c-7. 8-9a. 9b-10. ℟ Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

or: Alleluia.

It is the Lord who preserves fidelity for ever,

who does justice to those who are oppressed.

It is he who gives bread to the hungry,

the Lord who sets prisoners free. 

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

or: Alleluia.

The Lord who opens the eyes of the blind,

the Lord who raises up those who are bowed down.

It is the Lord who loves the just,

the Lord who protects the stranger. 

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

or: Alleluia.

The Lord upholds the orphan and the widow,

but thwarts the path of the wicked.

The Lord will reign for ever,

your God, O Sion, from age to age. 

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

or: Alleluia.

Second reading 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

‘God chose what is weak in the world.’

Consider your calling, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption; so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’

The word of the Lord

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 5:12a

Alleluia, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad,

for your reward is great in heaven.

Alleluia.