Word to the Wise
Saturday, October 14, 2023 - Saturday in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
[Joel 4:12-21 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 ultimate priority of a disciple of Jesus is to hear the word of God and observe it. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is portrayed in the Gospel According to Luke as a model disciple [Luke 2:19, 51]. Whether intended or not, Jesus' reply to the woman in the crowd is an indirect praise of Mary, whose own life would be tested by his mission [Luke 2:33].
There is an ancient tradition in the church of honoring Mary on Saturday because, as the legend has it, Jesus is supposed to have appeared to her on the day after his resurrection. The custom arose of five straight "First Saturdays" of confession, communion, recitation of the rosary and 15 minutes meditation on one or more of the "mysteries." When there is no particular feast to be observed due to the calendar, a votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin may be celebrated.
The emphasis here is not on the other privileges and status of Mary in Catholic tradition, but on discipleship and on her example as "the first disciple." The "second volume" of Luke's gospel, The Acts of the Apostles, notes Mary's presence in the Upper Room at Pentecost. The Saturday observance in Mary's honor should remind us that piety must be accompanied by preaching and good works. We have Jesus' word on it! AMEN