Daily Readings Reflection for 9/22/09

Reflection on the Daily Readings for 9/22/09 by Fr. Bertrand Buby, SM

Scripture: Lectionary # 450. Tuesday of 25th week. Ezra 6:7-8.12.14-20.
Psalm 122:1-2.3-4.4.4-5.Luke 8:19-21:

Jesus speaks out and says, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear
the word of God and act upon it." Are we among those followers of Jesus
who listen daily to his words and then act upon them? If so, then we are
members of his family! We are blessed and fortunate like Mary and his
relatives who trusted in his words and followed up on what those words
demanded of them. This is what it means to be a disciple of Christ and it
is equated with being members of the family of the Son of God who is also
the son of Mary of Nazareth.

Mary, in the Gospel of Luke, emerges not only as his mother but also as his
first and most faithful disciple. Through her faith she was called upon to
give birth to Jesus who is the Word of God incarnate. She conceived him,
gave birth to him, and taught him in his early years. She gave herself
totally to his mission and in the Gospels is never separated from him--the
sign of a good mother and the proof of a good marian theology! Never
separate the mother from the son when it is a question of devotion and love
for her. (see Matthew 2:11). She cooperated with him in his mission of
bringing the Good News of salvation to us. She is called "blessed" or
"fortunate" by a woman in the crowd following Jesus ( Luke 11:27-28). She
led by the Holy Spirit prophesied, "for he has looked with favor on the
lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me
blessed." (Luke 1:48). The Church, too, is seen as having its beginnings
in Mary and the Beloved Disciple in the scene at the foot of the cross
(John 19:25-28a) and in her being with the apostles and the brothers and
people gathered in the upper room (Acts 1:12-14) waiting for the coming of
the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church.

In the Vatican II document on the Church Mary is linked both to Christ and
the Church as the one who cooperates with her role in the history of
salvation. God's redeeming love is received and cooperated with in the
mission of Christ within his Church. Like Jesus we can follow the stages
and states of her life from the Annunciation to the Finding of Jesus in the
Temple, to the death of Jesus on Calvary. She alone more than any other
person had more time with her son surpassing all in her love for him and
her dedication to hearing his word and accomplishing it. We would do well
this day to repeat with her, "Lord, may it be done to me according to your
word." Amen.