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Manila Bulletin

Opinion

Blessed is the womb

Opinion

Blessed is the womb

By Manila Bulletin

REFLECTIONS TODAY

When Mary and his relatives come to speak to Jesus as he teaches the crowd, Jesus declares that his family is composed of “those who hear the word of God and act on it” (Lk 8:21). Jesus is not repudiating his mother and his family. But he emphatically declares that “closeness” with him—and with God—is not a matter of blood ties, which is fundamental in Israel, but of obedience to the word of God. In the Kingdom that he inaugurates on earth, beatitude comes from giving first priority to God.

This Gospel criterion, far from disqualifying Mary, only deepens her relationship with God and with her Son. To the woman who congratulates Mary for bearing him, Jesus emphasizes the other source of Mary’s blessedness: her humble obedience. In fact, Luke presents Mary as a woman who listens and obeys.

At the annunciation, she declares to the angel Gabriel, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (1:38). She declares her fiat in faith and obedience. Elizabeth declares to her, “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (1:45).

Gospel • Luke 11:27-28

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.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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