COMMON OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it. 

Perhaps the woman was thinking about her own children. How proud she would be if one of her boys was an influential public speaker and charismatic leader. Plus, she could see that Jesus really loved God! So as she stood with the crowd listening to Jesus, she was overcome with emotion. “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed,” she cried out (Luke 11:27).

Perhaps this little encounter made Jesus think of his own mother. How she listened to the word delivered by the angel and embraced it. How she was blessed with the privilege of being the Mother of God and yet never sought any recognition or special treatment. Of course, as the woman in the crowd asserted, Mary was proud of Jesus, but she always looked beyond her motherly pride to focus on what God was saying and doing through her Son—even when he was being persecuted and spoken against. That’s why his mother was blessed!

Blessed is everyone who, like Mary, looks beyond human success or apparent failure and sees the kingdom of God at work. It’s easy to feel good about Jesus when the crowds are cheering him and God appears to be with him. Similarly, we might assume God is happy with us when all is going well in our lives. But then, when hardship or betrayal strikes, we wonder if God has abandoned us. But Jesus’ life, and his words today, teach us that God is at work even when we seem abandoned.

No matter what happens in your life, you can still hear his word and embrace it. Try to keep your eyes fixed on your heavenly Father. Try to see your life through his eyes. Let Mary show you that being blessed doesn’t mean life will always go your way. Even if today ends up being the worst day ever, know that God has a word for you and a plan for you.

“Come, Holy Spirit, and open my eyes! Help me to see Jesus in every situation today.”

Galatians 3:22-29
Psalm 105:2-7