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Contents: Volume 2 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2/1/2026
1. -- Lanie LeBlanc OP -2. -- 3. --
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****************************************************** The selections for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time paint a stark difference between behaviors that might be popular or “trending” (for lack of a stronger word) and what is in God’s Plan. Sometimes in our present world, some of those things might seem somewhat compatible, but most of the time, in my opinion, not so much! A careful read/ listening is important this week, I think, perhaps more so than at other times.
In the first reading, God promises a core of holy people, a remnant, that God will leave to be sure the Plan is always kept alive. It begs the question of each of us: Do our thoughts, words, actions and non-actions identify us as among those people? If we are a bit wise, powerful or of noble birth, then we must act accordingly, knowing full well and acknowledging that anything that promotes the Kingdom of God is a gracious gift from God to be used for the good of all...not something of ourselves about which to boast!
Then there is the very familiar Gospel. But is it very understandably familiar? What does “poor in spirit” mean? I looked at a modern translation in The Message and found “when you’re at the end of your rope” … then there is less of you and more of God and his rule.
Oh, I got that! The rest of the wordings were also right on. It is definitely the Beatitudes that distinguish the folks who love one another (usually claimed by Christians but also rightly to identify others) who are those people God chose. “Those people” has a very different meaning to God, it seems, than in some modern rhetoric.
So, followers of Christ and those committed to preach the Good News of God’s Plan, what are we to do now? Well, as a starter, I feel compelled to print the more understandable Beatitudes (thanks to the gift of technology) and try letting them soak in a bit more each time I read them. We are called to be God’s prophets and witnesses. What action is God now calling each of us to do as a prophet and a witness based on this week’s readings?
Blessings, Dr. Lanie LeBlanc OP Southern Dominican Laity
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****************************************************** ****************************************************** 4. ****************************************************** ****************************************************** 5. ****************************************************** Volume 2 is for you. These reflections follow the Liturgical Calendar and appear here about mid week each week. They are written by various guest authors. If you would like to submit a reflection of your own, then click here to send an email request to post to the Webmaster. Deadline is Monday morning of each week for the upcoming Sunday.
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A service of The Order of Preachers,
The Dominicans. (form revised 10/13/2025) |
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