Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

 

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.

This is one of the shortest passages selected for the liturgy. And its words are simple yet potent.

A woman in the crowd was clearly moved, inspired, and swept up by the words she heard from Jesus. Possibly thinking this really is good news. Something new, one who teaches with authority. One who proclaims that God’s reign is here. In her zeal, she marvels at the person of Jesus – how truly blessed is the woman who carried you and nursed you, how lucky your mother is to have you as a son. Quite a compliment to be sure. If Mary were present – she would be flattered and likely at the same time decline the enthusiasm of the woman’s compliment.

Jesus’ own reply is rather surprising: Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.

Who hear the word – and keep it. In that, he was saying something of all those who follow him – or who would follow him. That true happiness and blessedness come in being united to him. Hearing his word. Carrying it out.

That’s the goal that Jesus sets for us all: hear God’s word. Put it into action. That’s the way the Kingdom is spread. Jesus proclaimed: The Kingdom is at hand. And in some ways, it is now in our hands. It is our call to make it known today.

As is often the case, this simple phrase from the prophet Micah sums up what we consider today. “You have been told what is good and what the Lord requires: do justice, love goodness, and walk humbly with our God.”

Reflection by Fr. Peter Ullrich, OSB

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