A reading from the gospel according to Luke 11:27-28
27 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.”
28 He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
Reflection: Blessed
Good News: Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.
There is no doubt that a mother who bore a successful and dutiful child is truly blessed. Yet, Mary’s place among all mothers is definitely unique because she bore the Son of God. She herself acknowledged that all generations will call her blessed (Luke 1:48). She was blessed not only because God chose her to be mother of His Son but also because she heard His Voice through Angle Gabriel, accepted it wholeheartedly and lovingly acted on it by nurturing and caring for Jesus. No wonder that she is considered the first disciple of Jesus.
The woman praised Mary although she may not have met her but because she saw in Jesus the fruit of Mary’s motherhood. Yet Jesus responded that anyone who hears the word of God and live it is blessed. Earlier, when His disciples told Him that His mother and brothers were standing outside, Jesus responded by saying that His mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it. (Luke 8:19-21). In other words, Jesus is telling us that words of praise are next to nothing but words with action is the most important thing. How often do people applaud others for their good deeds yet they themselves do not follow those good deeds.
While the bible is filled with the word “hear” or “listen”, it is also replete with the word “follow” or “do”. This means that we must listen and obey or hear and observe. To observe does mean to be passive but to be active by doing or applying the word of God in our daily life. Without works, faith is dead (James 2:26).
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In this Gospel reading, we encounter a remarkable interaction between Jesus and a woman in the crowd. She exclaims, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you,” praising Mary, the mother of Jesus, for being the source of such a wonderful teacher. But Jesus redirects the attention away from His earthly ties, saying, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
This response of Jesus teaches us something profound about the nature of true blessing. While family connections, like that of Jesus and His mother Mary, hold importance, Jesus is revealing that the real measure of blessedness comes from our relationship with God through hearing and obeying His Word.
Hearing the Word of God is the first step towards living in true blessing. Today, we have many opportunities to hear God’s Word, whether through Scripture, sermons, devotionals, or personal reading. However, hearing alone is not enough. We must take time to absorb, understand, and reflect on what God is saying. The Word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12), and when we truly listen, it penetrates our hearts, convicting us, guiding us, and bringing transformation.
Yet, it’s important to acknowledge the challenge in our busy lives to truly “hear.” We often listen with distractions, moving from one task to another. Jesus calls us to attentively hear the Word of God—not just with our ears but with an open and receptive heart.
The second part of Jesus’ statement is equally crucial: “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Hearing alone doesn’t lead to transformation; obedience does. James 1:22 encourages believers to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” Obedience is where faith comes alive. It is through obedience that the truth of God’s Word becomes practical and real in our everyday lives.
Obeying God’s Word may sometimes be difficult. It often calls us to go against the grain of culture, to resist the temptations of the world, and to align ourselves with God’s purposes. This might mean loving our enemies, being generous in times of scarcity, or standing for righteousness in a world that promotes compromise. However, the joy and peace that come from living in alignment with God’s will far surpass any temporary sacrifices we might make.
Jesus’ response in verse 28 teaches us that true blessedness does not come from external circumstances such as wealth, fame, or even from being related to someone great. True blessing flows from a life that is attuned to God’s voice and committed to His ways. When we hear and obey God’s Word, we live in the fullness of His grace and truth. This is where real joy and fulfillment lie.
In our daily walk, let us seek to be people who not only hear God’s Word but who actively live it out. Let us align our lives with His teachings, trusting that as we do, we will experience the true and lasting blessings that come from obedience to our loving and faithful God.
