Word to the Wise
Saturday, October 8, 2016 - Saturday in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gal 3:22-29 and 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." [Luke]
The portrait of Mary in the Gospel of Luke is that of a disciple and not a mother! [Luke 2:19] Jesus seems to consistently deflect any reference to family influence and considers anyone who is a true disciple to be his family. [cf. Markk 3:33] It is the one who hears the word of God and acts on it that will enter the kingdom. None of this is meant to denigrate the status of Mary in our Catholic tradition, but it does create a priority that we should consider.
Where do we find that "word of God" that can make us blessed if we observe it? The answer is as close as your nearest Bible! That is where we get started. Then, we can hear the word of God when it is preached (which makes the training for preaching all the more important). As St. Paul points out in his Letter to the Romans, "And how will they hear unless there is someone to preach?" (Rom.10:14). The final and decisive step is the "observance." As Pope Francis continues to remind us, the works of mercy put skin on the gospel. When we reach out to others in mercy, we literally touch the flesh of Christ. Mary quite literally put "skin on the gospel" and remains a model of discipleship. AMEN
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