As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it. (Luke 11:27-28)
“Blessed Virgin Mary” is one of the most popular Marian titles. Today’s gospel throws light into two significant blessings that add to the ‘true blessedness’ of Mary.
(1) Physical Motherhood: Conceiving Jesus in her womb. The woman who admires Jesus in today’s gospel pronounces it. “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed” (Luke 11:27). Elizabeth at the visitation, being filled with the Holy Spirit mentioned, proclaimed of it, ‘Most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb’ (Luke 1:42).
(2) Spiritual Motherhood: St. Augustine hails about Mary that, “Mary, full of grace, first conceived Jesus in her heart before she conceived him in her heart.” It means Mary conceived him first in her heart in faith. Mary full-filled the Word of God to perfection. She is the greatest model of, ‘blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it’ (Luke 11:28). Elizabeth at the visitation, being filled with the Holy Spirit mentioned it proclaimed of it, ‘Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by Lord would be full-filled’ (Luke 1:45).
While the woman affirms the Physical Motherhood of Mary, Jesus emphasizes the basis for Mary’s real beatitude: attentiveness to God’s word and living by it. The greater among the two blessings, ‘those who hear and observe’, is available to us. Like Mary, we are also called to “blessedness” by hearing and observing the word of God. Amen.