Daily Gospel

[Ambrosio_Mojica]

Lk 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.”

The woman from the crowd is like most mothers who admire children of great accomplishments. She is very generous of her praise on Jesus. If she herself was a mother, she could probably also find nice things to say about her own sons or daughters. But what is the yardstick of our admiration towards people? Is it being brainy, or popularity, or a big following like what Jesus was having?

Jesus is telling us, in other words, to praise people because they seek and follow God’s will. Among all men and women ever born on this earth, Mary alone was able to do this in such a perfect manner. Mary sought and lived God’s will al her life, until the foot of Calvary and when Mary as Queen of Apostles awaited the descent of the Holy Spirit on her and on the Twelve.

 

[Tim_Kirchoff]

It’s not your talents, but how you use them that really counts. There could be an exceptionally bright person who never did any good for anyone else, but was recognized and lauded, and meanwhile there is a person who is even a bit unintelligent, but do good andnot be recognized. Who would you admire more?

 

[lak611]

From Albert Barnes’ notes on the Bible:

Yea, rather blessed … - Jesus admits that she was happy - that it was an honor to be his mother, but he says that the chief happiness, the highest honor, was to obey the word of God. Compared with this, all earthly distinctions and honors are as nothing. Man’s greatest dignity is in keeping the holy commandments of God, and in being prepared for heaven. See the notes at Luk_10:20.

From the Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 28. Greek: Menounge, imo vero, yes indeed. Our Saviour does not here wish to deny what the woman had said, but rather to confirm it: indeed how could he deny, as Calvin impiously maintained, that his mother was blessed? By these words, he only wishes to tell his auditors what great advantage they might obtain by attending to his words. For the blessed Virgin, as St. Augustine says, was more happy in having our Saviour in her heart and affections, than in having conceived him in her womb. (Tirinus)