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! If we feel anxious or out of sorts, are discerning a heavy decision and feel paralyzed, dealing with a relational conflict and not sure how to respond, the Holy Spirit provides a way.
All we have to do is go to our Bible. And if it has been awhile, pick it up, blow off the dust, and open up to the Gospel of Luke and read these lines for ourselves. In doing so, we hear the word of God and then begin to ponder what we have heard and then observe it, put what we have heard into practice. Simple as that.
And yet there is so much keeping us busy, distracted, and diverted from spending time reading, meditating, and praying with God’s word. We might look at the Bible as just another book because there is so much that appears to be more enticing, inviting, and engaging. God has made us not for merely finite but infinite pursuits, to seek the things of heaven.
The Bible, initially in his youth, did not offer much to St. Augustine. He thought it for the simple minded. After many years though seeking and indulging in the things of the world, even the pursuit of truth, he was left feeling empty. He then found solace in reading the Bible which only increased when he “transcended the literal sense.” The literal sense being that which he read and understood with his mind and reason. In allowing himself time to ponder, the Holy Spirit touched him in the depth of his soul and “enabled him to find at last the answer to his deep inner restlessness and his thirst for truth” (Pope Benedict, General Audience, January 9, 2008).
We too are restless and tired existing in a world that entices us with so many other voices and attractions but in putting those enticements into practice, we are left wanting. Yet, the daily discipline of reading and praying with the Bible provides peace and rest for our souls like nothing else can. Slowly and gently our intimacy with God grows when open up our Bible each day, breathe, and slowly read and ponder. When we not only read the words, but also meditate and pray with them, we transcend the literal and experience God’s living stream flowing in our veins. We are refreshed, renewed, and transformed.
Photo: May we, like Mary, trust in and ponder the word of God and put what we have received into action.
