Word to the Wise
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 27th Saturday in Ordinary Time
[Galatians 3:22-29 and Luke 11:27-28]"Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breast at which you nursed." Jesus replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."
My campus ministry experience has meant a lot of weddings AND a lot of baptisms. Those experiences bring me into contact with a lot of nursing moms and babies. The relationship between the mom and baby in those circumstances can be profound! Yet Jesus places the relationship of faith ahead of it! He consistently places family and other relationships in a position that is subordinate to discipleship. It's not because family and friends are unimportant. It is because discipleship is all the MORE important. We should also note that it is not a matter of "superior/inferior" here because Jesus makes it plain that disciples who exalt themselves will be humbled. Because our relationship with the Lord can seem to be "abstract," whereas our relationship with family and friends seems very "real" and "in the present," we can lose sight of the importance of discipleship, which must shape ALL our relationships. Indeed, faith should come to a child like "mother's milk" - i.e. from the very outset of life. This makes the role of family, parents and friends all the more important. What they give is "life" itself in cooperation with God. The sad state of ignorance concerning Catholic tradition in the post-conciliar generations leads to a devaluing of important human relationships as well as the relationship with God. Jesus' response to the blessing from the woman in the crowd is a reminder that mom can give more than milk! AMEN
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