DOUBLY BLESSED

In today’s Gospel pericope, we read of the proclamation of blessedness in relation to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and by extension to all Christians. Of the two beatitudes expressed to Mary in today’s Gospel, one is spoken by a woman, perhaps a mother, who raises her voice in the midst of the crowd, declaring blessed the woman who carried Jesus in her womb and the one who nursed him, blessed the woman who gave birth to King of kings; the girl from Nazareth who said yes to God’s call. This blessedness is in relation to Mary as the biological Mother of God.

Welcoming the Word

Jesus pronounces another, even better beatitude: blessed are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice. Yes, this praise, this wish for happiness, extends from Mary to all believers throughout the world. Mary is doubly blessed. Firstly, she is blessed for having been the biological Mother of Jesus, nurturing Jesus throughout His infancy. Secondly, Mary is even more blessed for welcoming the Word and fulfilling it. You and I can share in Mary’s joy by welcoming the Word and putting it into practice. There is a higher blessedness that comes from observing God’s word, from living like God. It is the proposal of a beautiful life filled with joy and happiness, which is the same thing as blessedness. Therefore, it is a greater gift than Mary’s womb.

The new and true knowledge of Jesus, therefore, is listening to His Word. With His help, this Word must become flesh in us, just like the Word became flesh in Mary’s womb. The transition of faith that must operate in each of us is to “listen” and “do,” to live the Word, and Jesus gives us a model to imitate: Mary – the Mother – in whom, thanks to listening and preserving, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Thus, listening and living out this word in constant remembrance, will allow the Word to grow until it transforms us into Him. Then we will be blessed like Mary.

[Readings: Joel 4:12-21; Luke 11:27-28]