Lectionary for this day - This has all the readings and Gospel
Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13 - The Nations Punished and Jerusalem Restored
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - The Corinthians and Paul
Matthew 5:1-12 - The Beatitudes (The Sermon on the Mount)
Zephaniah
His name may mean "to whom God has hidden".
One of the 12 minor prophets in the Old Testament
He prophesied in the days of Josiah, king of Judah (640–609 BC).
Remnant
A small group of Israelites who survived the invasion of the Assyrian army (Isaiah 10:20–22). All the rest were exiled / brought to Assyria.
Corinthians
People who lived in Corinth, located in south-central Greece.
Paul’s first letter to the church of Corinth provides us with a fuller insight into the life of an early Christian community of the first generation than any other book of the New Testament. More information.
Courtesy of BibleStudy.org
Paul
A Jew and a pharisee. He was educated by Gamaliel, a notable teacher of Jewish law.
A Roman citizen.
He first persecuted Christians. After Jesus appeared to him, he became a Christian and was responsible for the conversion of many Gentiles. More information.
Beatitudes (click for more information)
Matthew
He was a tax collector. He was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus.
12 Apostles - the first 12 people that Jesus called to follow Him.