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.” (Luke 11:27-28).

Jesus is not discounting his mother nor putting her down in any way by his response. Especially because Mary is the exemplar of not just someone who, but one who other than he, consistently heard the word of God and observed it. Probably even before but the earliest record of this we have is Mary saying, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your will” (cf. Luke 1:38). She was instrumental in collaborating with God’s will to bring about the salvation of the world in her willingness to bear his only Son.

The wonderful gift of what Jesus said is also an invitation to all of us. If we ever felt at some point that we never fit in somewhere, if we did not quite belong, or we didn’t measure up to someone’s or our own expectations, we need no longer feel that way. Jesus is inviting us to have a seat at the table. And the good news is that there is unlimited seating!

All we have to do is hear the word of God and observe it. Simple as that. And the other good news is that God has made us just for that purpose; to be like Mary and participate with him in bringing about the salvation of the world. The challenge is to be willing to identify what we are allowing to get in the way of first of hearing his word, renounce or let it go, and secondly once we can then hear his word, to be willing to act upon it.

I have been praying more often lately the prayer of St. Mother Teresa who asked that she could be a pencil in God’s hand. A beautiful image of fully surrendering to God’s will such that we can hear his word and act upon it as he moves us without hesitation. Just like Mary and Jesus do.

I will be participating in desert day, day of silent reflection Saturday so I will not have access to computer or phone until the evening, so I am sending this for Saturday ahead of time. Be assured of my daily prayers for you all as I take my evening Rosary walk!

Photo:  I begin and end each night’s evening Rosary walk with Mary. St. Vincent De Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, FL.

Link for the readings for Saturday, October 14, 2023