Today's Reflections
True Blessedness
Lk 11:27-28
27While
[Jesus] was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to
him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you
nursed.” 28He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HEAR THE WORD. Just
two short verses, the Gospel is among the shortest passages in the
liturgical year. It tells of a woman’s praise for the mother of Jesus.
Mary has given Jesus a tender, loving care and a good education, so that
Jesus has grown up to be the son every mother can be proud of. Upon
reaching adulthood, children show traits similar to those of their
parents; the honor given to children redounds to their parents.
While
not denying the praise spoken of his mother, Jesus says that more
important than blood relationship is our relationship with God. When we
listen to God’s word and live it, we behave as God’s obedient children,
and that is more important than being children of our parents.
In
a way, Jesus widens the scope of true blessedness. Mary is blessed not
only for bearing Jesus in her womb but also for conceiving him first in
her heart by faith. As Luke pictures her, Mary is the virgin of Nazareth
who hears God’s word spoken through the angel Gabriel and consents to
God’s will (cf Lk 1:38). And Elizabeth cries out to Mary, “Blessed are
you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be
fulfilled” (Lk 1:45).
On
another occasion, when Jesus is told that his mother and brothers are
outside waiting for him, he replies, “My mother and my brothers are
those who hear the word of God and act on it” (Lk 8:21). This, to a
preeminent degree, describes who Mary is.
Are you a child whom your parents can be proud of?
Has there been an incident when you had
to obey God rather than your parents?
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