In today’s Gospel from Luke 11:27-28, we witness a brief yet powerful exchange between Jesus and a woman in the crowd. The woman raises her voice and says, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” (Lk 11:27). It’s a spontaneous expression of admiration for Jesus, and in a way, she is honoring Mary, His mother, for bringing such a remarkable person into the world. But Jesus responds in a surprising way, saying: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Lk 11:28).
At first glance, it might seem as if Jesus is dismissing the woman’s statement, but He is actually doing something profound: He shifts the focus from a purely physical or biological connection to a spiritual one. While the woman blesses His mother for the gift of physical motherhood, Jesus redirects the blessing to those who listen to God’s Word and live by it.
Mary is indeed blessed, but not only because she is the mother of Jesus. She is blessed because she heard God's Word, trusted in it, and responded with complete faith and obedience. “Let it be done to me according to your word,” she said when the angel Gabriel announced that she would bear the Savior (Lk 1:38). Jesus is reminding us that true blessedness comes from hearing and living God’s Word, not merely from biological or earthly relationships.
Jesus emphasizes that the real path to blessedness lies in hearing God's Word and keeping it. This means more than just listening—it requires understanding, reflecting, and putting it into action. It calls for a response. The Word of God is living and active, and when we allow it to shape our thoughts, decisions, and actions, we begin to live in accordance with God's will.
But what does it mean to "keep" the Word of God? It means allowing it to take root in our hearts and guide our daily lives. It means living with integrity, seeking justice, showing compassion, and remaining faithful to God's commands even when it is difficult. Hearing God’s Word is just the beginning. Keeping it involves dedication and perseverance.
In this passage, Jesus is pointing us toward the true nature of discipleship. The blessing comes not from status, heritage, or external connections but from a deep, personal relationship with God through His Word. To be a disciple of Jesus means to listen attentively to His teachings and to follow them with our whole heart.
This message speaks to us today in our busy, distracted world. Often, we hear the Word of God on Sundays, but by Monday, we’re back to our routines, and the message fades away. Jesus is calling us to more: to hear the Word, let it penetrate our hearts, and live it out every day, in every decision we make, in how we treat others, and in how we handle challenges.
Interestingly, while Jesus seems to shift the focus away from Mary in this passage, He actually points us back to her in a deeper way. Mary is the perfect example of someone who both heard and kept God's Word. Her entire life was a testimony to her unwavering faith and obedience. She listened to God's Word and said "yes" without hesitation. Her life reminds us of the blessing that comes from total trust in God’s plan.
Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel are a reminder that true blessedness is found in hearing and living out the Word of God. We are called to a deep and active relationship with God that goes beyond mere listening. Like Mary, we are invited to say “yes” to God’s Word and allow it to transform our lives.
Let us strive to be not just hearers but doers of the Word, so that we may experience the fullness of God’s blessings and live as true disciples of Christ.