4th Sunday after the Epiphany 2026: February 1

The season of Epiphany continues as we gather to hear Jesus proclaim the Beatitudes from the mountainside. Today, Christ turns the world’s values upside down, declaring blessed those whom the world considers lowly and weak. Mother Jenn McCombe will celebrate the Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with us on the 4th Sunday after the Epiphany 2026, as we explore what it means to live according to God’s kingdom values.

Join us for Holy Eucharist Rite II in the way that suits you best! You can worship with us in person, via live stream, through video replay, or as a podcast.

If You Cannot Join Us In Person for the 4th Sunday after the Epiphany 2026!

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The Collect for the 4th Sunday after the Epiphany 2026

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Readings for the 4th Sunday after the Epiphany 2026

Old Testament: Micah 6:1-8

Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.

Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.

“O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.”

“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Psalm 15

1 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? who may abide upon your holy hill?

2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, who speaks the truth from his heart.

3 There is no guile upon his tongue; he does no evil to his friend; he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.

4 In his sight the wicked is rejected, but he honors those who fear the Lord.

5 He has sworn to do no wrong and does not take back his word.

6 He does not give his money in hope of gain, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

7 Whoever does these things shall never be overthrown.

The Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

18 The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

26 Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 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; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

The Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Reflection on the Readings for the 4th Sunday after the Epiphany 2026

Join us as we explore God’s upside-down kingdom!

Old Testament – Micah 6:1-8

Micah presents a dramatic courtroom scene in which God brings a case against His people. The mountains and hills are summoned as witnesses to hear God’s complaint. Instead of making accusations, God asks what He has done to weary His people, reminding them of His acts of salvation, such as bringing them out of Egypt and sending leaders like Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. In response, the people ask questions about religious offerings: What will please God? Would thousands of rams suffice? How about rivers of oil? Even their firstborn children?

God’s answer cuts through these inquiries about religious performance: He has already made it clear what is good. What the Lord requires is both simple and profound: to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. True religion is not about making impressive sacrifices but about living righteously and maintaining a humble relationship with God.

Psalm 15

This wisdom psalm poses an important question: Who can dwell in God’s presence? The answer describes a person of integrity, someone who leads a blameless life, acts righteously, and speaks the truth. This individual does no harm to friends, honors those who revere the Lord, keeps promises, even when difficult to fulfill, does not take advantage of others financially, and refuses to accept bribes. The psalm highlights that living in communion with God requires moral character and ethical behavior. Those who uphold these principles “shall never be overthrown”—their foundation is secure because it is built on righteousness.

Epistle – 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Paul continues to address the Corinthian church by contrasting worldly wisdom with the wisdom of God revealed through the cross. To those who are perishing, the message of the cross seems foolish. However, for those being saved, it is the power of God. God has rendered the wisdom of the world as foolish—where are the wise, the scribes, and the debaters? God chose to save people through what the world sees as foolishness: the proclamation of Christ crucified. While Jews seek miraculous signs and Greeks look for philosophical wisdom, God offers a crucified Messiah. This is a stumbling block and a source of foolishness to human understanding, yet it represents God’s power and wisdom to those who are called. Paul reminds the Corinthians to reflect on their own calling: not many of them were wise, powerful, or noble by worldly standards. God intentionally chose what the world considers foolish, weak, and lowly in order to shame the strong, so that no one can boast. Christ alone is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

Gospel – Matthew 5:1-12

Jesus ascends the mountain, sits down to teach, and begins the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes, nine blessings that challenge conventional wisdom.

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, not the proud.
• Blessed are those who mourn, not those who celebrate excessively.
• Blessed are the meek, not the aggressive.
• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, not those who are satisfied with the status quo.
• Blessed are the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers, not the ruthless, the cynical, or the warmongers.
• Even those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness are blessed.

A reflection for the 4th Sunday after Epiphany 2026

The central theme of these readings highlights God’s radical reversal of worldly values. Micah emphasizes that God desires justice, kindness, and humility over elaborate sacrifices. The psalmist asserts that living righteously is essential for dwelling with God. Paul proclaims that God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom; although the cross may seem weak, it is, in fact, a demonstration of God’s power. Jesus blesses those whom the world considers weak, lowly, and unfortunate. As Mother Jenn McCombe celebrates the Eucharist with us today, we are challenged to embrace God’s upside-down kingdom, where the last are first, the weak are strong, and the cross represents victory, not defeat. What does the Lord require of us? To do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God, and live according to the values that Jesus teaches from the mountain.