While 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.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it” (Lk 11:27-28).

The woman’s comment directed to Jesus in today’s reading is certainly better than the charge leveled against him yesterday that he was healing by the power of Beelzebul, yet even this complement is still off the mark. What made Mary truly blessed was her fiat, her yes, to being willing to participate in the incarnation, conceiving, carrying to term, and giving birth to the Son of God. Then continuing to hear the word of God and observing it through the rest of her life. Mary is the model disciple.

Jesus is, in correcting the woman who called out, also helping her, those present, and us to keep proper perspective regarding living under the kingdom or reign of God. God is to be sovereign, primary, first and foremost. We need to be careful not to put any “thing” or any “one” before God. Even today we need to be careful not to make Mary into a goddess. We honor Mary and the saints, we invoke their intercession for assistance as we do family and friends with us now. We do not adore them, as we do with God. Mary points us to her Son, not to herself. She is like the moon that radiates the light of the sun. This is the point of discipleship.

Last night we experienced a beautiful Mass commemorating the 100th anniversary of Mary’s appearance to the three shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal. Did we process in with a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, yes, and was the statue given a place of honor yes. But the focal point, the ultimate procession was of those coming toward the altar, affirming their commitment to serving Jesus, by receiving him in his Real Presence in the Eucharist. Mary brought us out on a Friday night, away from our tv’s, cell phones, iPads, restaurants, and also from our trials, challenges, and weariness, to celebrate a bilingual Mass, the rich diversity of our parish, the coming together as a community for the sole purpose of worshipping her Son. Nourished then by Jesus through his presence in our communal gathering, his Word, and his Body and Blood, we were then sent forth to be his disciples and radiate his light to those we meet.

As blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman articulates so well in his prayer, the goal of the disciple of Jesus is to come to that point where others may look up at us and “see no longer me, but only Thee O Lord!” How do we do that? We place ourselves in a posture of humility, of prayer, willing to hear the word of God, observe it, and then serve him in one another, to act upon it in our lives. This means we need to slow down, resist the urge to accomplish and just get something done. Sometimes when I am reading the Office, I will catch myself just reading the psalms, the readings, and the prayers, to get them done, instead of letting the words pierce my heart, convict me, call me to conform my life to Jesus. Prayer then becomes a function instead of an encounter with the living God. I will stop myself and begin again.

To hear God’s word, as we do with any person, we must stop and listen. This can happen in the events of our daily lives as well if we are attentive. It is resisting the temptation to walk around or away from someone who is homeless, and instead share a few moments, a few dollars, to ask their name. Is this uncomfortable, yes, challenging, yes. But the Word of God calls us out beyond ourselves to be there for others. The image of fire used for the Holy Spirit is appropriate in this regard, because whatever fire touches it transforms. When we are touched by the Love of the Holy Spirit we need to share that same love with others. When we experience the love of God, as did Mary, and say yes to his invitation we will never be the same again. We will continue to experience suffering and pain because we live in a fallen world.

Again think of Mary who from the beginning experienced suffering with Jesus. She conceived Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, what a gift, but what a trial, how to explain this to Joseph, her betrothed! Simeon’s prophecy at Jesus’ dedication in the temple ending with the words to Mary, “and you yourself a sword will pierce” (cf Luke 2:25-35). We can trace Mary’s sorrows, and continued faithfulness as “she pondered these things in her heart” (cf Luke 2:19) throughout her life raising Jesus and then escalating as she was also present during his public ministry where she saw him rejected in their hometown of Nazareth, the questions and accusations hurled at him, his arrest, scourging, and crucifixion.

Yet, if we keep our eyes on Jesus, turn to him in our trials, challenges, experiences of injustice, we draw upon an infinite source, as did Mary, and experience a joy, a peace that surpasses all understanding, a fulfillment that is beyond comprehension because of the blessing and love we receive from her Son. Through these experiences of Jesus present to us in our time of need, sorrow, and pain, we are given his grace. We then need to ask for courage to reach out to provide aid and comfort to those he sends us to, instead of turning within because of our fears, prejudices, and pride. This is how we observe his words, by loving, willing the good of others as he has loved us. In hearing and observing the words of Jesus, we cannot help to be transformed. May we say yes, as did Mary, and so to radiate Christ to others from the very depths of our soul.

Photo: Mass celebrating 100th anniversary of visitation of Our Lady of Fatima with St Peter family

Link for today’s Reading:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/101417.cfm

The prayer, Radiating Christ, by John Henry Cardinal Newman you may find posted on my blog