October 12, 2024. 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.”’

In this passage, the woman is moved with awe at Jesus and his teachings as he casts out demons, and she is moved to cry out to express how amazing it must be for his mother to have borne such a son.  As Jesus has done on other occasions such as in Mark 3:31-35, he shifts our focus to spiritual kinship more than biological family ties.  Although his mother Mary is indeed blessed, he wants his listeners to know that those who simply hear the word of God and observe it are also blessed.

This teaching has two parts.  First is hearing the word of God.  One can hear the word of God through Scripture, and also directly in contemplative prayer by being still and listening.  Can we hear that “still small voice” of which the psalm and prophet speak?

Second is actually living by the word of God.  Can we observe it, as Jesus says?  Can we show the face of peace and love to others?  Can we be the face of peace when small or petty disagreements arise with friends or family, or in the face of societal divisions, grudges, and hatreds?

We all know of people who are very well liked in the community, in fact are very popular and regarded as great people, but who privately are mean, petty tyrants in their own households.  They may be generous and giving towards the outside world, but cruel towards their own spouse or offspring.  Or they may be a fine citizen in many respects, but harbor a deep hatred of some segment of society. Although they may hear the word of God, they are not observing it.

Peace and love is the mark of a person has heard the word of God and observed it evenly towards all, and that is blessed.