Father Patrick Butler, LC

Luke 11: 27-28
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." He replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."

 Introductory Prayer:Lord, I want to be in your presence, like the woman who speaks to you in the Gospel. Like her, I want to be filled with enthusiasm for what it means to be close to you. I believe that you bless those who listen to you with the ability to do your will. I trust that you will make me capable of constancy, striving to accomplish your plan for my life, until you bring me to heaven. I love you, because you are infinitely loveable and because you loved me first.

Petition:Lord, make me capable of hearing what you desire to communicate to my heart and able to do what you ask of me.

1. An Interruption While Jesus was speaking, a woman interrupted him. She had a sentiment in her heart that she wanted to express to him. In itself, this interruption is fine, but what Jesus was speaking about was certainly more enriching. In prayer, I often want to tell the Lord what is happening in my life and what sentiments are passing through my heart. However, I wonder if he would not communicate deeper truths to me if I just listened attentively to what he has to say to me. We need to be careful not to fall into the error of speaking constantly during our prayer, but to allow God to speak to us too.

2. The Blessed Virgin Mary The woman who speaks to Jesus compliments his mother, calling her blessed for carrying him in her womb and nursing him. While it is true that Mary’s vocation makes all generations call her blessed, she is also “full of grace” because she was attentive to God’s word and put it into practice. Being the Mother of God was a pure gift, while being the perfect disciple of her Son was active cooperation in his mission.

3. The Other Blessed I, too, can be a disciple of Jesus by enrolling myself in Mary’s school. She teaches me that it is not enough to hear the word of God, if all I do is contemplate it as if saying, “That’s nice.” In Mary, there is no hesitation between hearing God’s desires and putting them into practice. Better said, she allows God to have free rein in her life by saying to him, “Let it be done unto me according to your word.” I, too, want promptly and generously to let God act in my life.

Conversation with Christ:Lord Jesus, I want to be among those who are blessed by hearing and doing what you desire. Today, I have strived to listen to your voice in prayer. You will surely continue to speak to me throughout the day, so I will continue to be attentive. You will also surely give me the strength to put into action what you ask of me, so I will confidently resolve to carry out your will.

Resolution:I will be courageous in my fidelity to my conscience – that inner sanctuary where God speaks to me. In my conversations and human relations, I will represent the values of my faith and not cave in to peer pressure, whether at home, in school or in the work place.