A Reflection for Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Odd Time
Find today’s readings here.
While Jesus was speaking, a lady from the group called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Quite, blessed are those that hear the word of God and observe it.” (Lk 11:27-28)
The girl in the group will need to have been a Catholic. Why else would she heap such recognition and honor on Mary, the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady? I can hear her saying, “Mary actually did something right with that one!”
Once we encounter greatness in others, it’s not unusual to wonder where it got here from. And our natural instinct is to look to the parents or immediate family for a proof. As Catholics, we’ve at all times valued and promoted family life because we consider that fidelity, stability and love in a family—though never guaranteed—are a basic recipe for human flourishing.
As Catholics, we’ve at all times valued and promoted family life because we consider that fidelity, stability and love in a family—though never guaranteed—are a basic recipe for human flourishing.
Which is why it’s so interesting to me that Jesus seems to challenge these traditional family values. When the girl acclaims his biological connection to Mary, he responds by rebutting her: “Quite, blessed are those that hear the word of God and observe it.” What are we to conclude about Jesus’ views on the family aside from that our relationship to God is far more vital?
With that said, we all know that Mary is the best witness to hearing God’s word and observing it. Think back to Mary’s response to the angel firstly of Luke’s Gospel when she learns she is going to give birth to a really special child: “Behold, I’m the handmaid of the Lord. May it’s done to me in line with your word.” (Lk 1:38)
Beyond biology, what connects Mary and Jesus is their intimate relationship with God and their commitment to living it out. A part of that relationship with God requires us to deconstruct any exclusivist understanding of traditional family values. For Jesus, our relationship to God unites all of humanity into one family. This broader vision of family, beyond our biological relations and narrow tribal instincts, is our most traditional family value as Christians.
