Epiphany 4, Feb1, 2026
1 Corinthians 1:26–31 / Matthew 5:1–12
Rev. Misa Furumoto
When you feel sad, when you want to cry, when something painful happens, or when life does not go the way you expected, what do you do?
Some people eat something nice. Some people sleep. Some people talk to a close friend. Some try to forget by watching movies or traveling. Others stay with their feelings and try to understand them. There are many ways people try to survive difficult times.
When I was younger, I had one simple habit. Whenever life felt too heavy, I went to a high place. When I was 15 years old, I moved alone to the United States as an exchange student. I ended up staying there for 15 years. It was my dream, and it was my choice — but it was much harder than I expected. I often felt lonely. I was sometimes misunderstood because of language and culture. I felt weak and disappointed in myself. Many times, I thought, “This is not how it was supposed to be.”
During those moments, I discovered something small but important. I would go to the top of a tall building and look out over the city. Just standing there helped me calm down and breathe again.
When we go to a high place, we notice two things. First, we see how big this world is. The sky feels wide. The earth feels large. Second, we see how small we are. People below look very small. And we remember: we are not the owners of this world. We are creatures.
We often live as if everything depends on us. But it does not. Like birds, fish, and animals, we are created beings. We are given life — precious and limited life.
When we realize this, we meet God, the Creator. And then we also realize something else: even in our weakness, God sees us. God looks at us and says, “You are enough. I love you.” And God calls us blessed.
In today’s reading from First Corinthians, Paul says something very important. He tells the church to remember who they were when God called them. They were not chosen because they were smart, strong, or important. God chose what the world calls weak and foolish, so that no one can boast before God.
Paul says: if we boast, we should boast only in the Lord — in Jesus Christ, who is our wisdom, righteousness, and hope.
Even now, as a priest, I sometimes forget this.
I think, “If only I were smarter.” “If only I were a better speaker.” “If only I were more impressive.” But if I trusted those things, I would be trusting myself, not Christ. And there is no true blessing there. A truly blessed person is someone who can boast only in the Lord. That is what Jesus teaches in today’s Gospel.
When Jesus saw the crowds — people who were sick, tired, and suffering — he went up the mountain and began to teach. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The poor in spirit are people who know they cannot rely on themselves alone. They know they need God. They have nothing to boast about except Christ. Jesus says: these people are blessed.
The kingdom of heaven is not only a place after death. It is God’s presence here and now. And God is close to the poor in spirit. Jesus continues:
Blessed are those who mourn — because they can stand with others who suffer.
Blessed are the meek — those who choose forgiveness.
Blessed are those who hunger for righteousness — those who seek God’s will, not human praise.
Blessed are the merciful — those who share both joy and tears.
Blessed are the peacemakers — those who trust that this world belongs to God.
In God’s kingdom, the values of this world are turned upside down. What looks weak becomes true strength.
So where is our mountain today? When I was young, I found comfort in high places. But now I have found a better place. That place is Scripture.
The Bible is God’s love letter to us. In it, we meet Jesus. In it, we hear his voice saying:
“Blessed are you who are crying now. I am with you. I love you. I will not leave you.”
Today, as we come to the Lord’s Table, we come not as strong people, but as poor in spirit. And that is exactly who Jesus invites.
In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
