Daily Gospel Reflection for October 14, 2023

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 11:27-28

Today’s Gospel is a peculiar one. At a glance, it seems to counter everything we understand about the relationship between Jesus and Mary.

Is Jesus diminishing His mother’s role in His life? Isn’t her womb, indeed, blessed—being free from original sin so as to be a fitting place for God to dwell?

But upon prayerful reflection, we can look at this Gospel passage differently. We can interpret it as Jesus giving His mother the highest of praises.

“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Luke 11:28

This compliment echoes the words of St. Elizabeth to Mary during the Visitation:

“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Luke 1:45

Mary is “full of grace” and “blessed among women” because she chose to believe the Word of God before she bore Him in her womb.

She gave her complete fiat to being the mother of God, before she was married. She trusted the Lord through all her joys and sorrows. She didn’t always know or understand God’s plan. But she “kept all these things in her heart,” and I interpret that to mean that she didn’t waver in her complete trust in God. Her faith kept her calm and confident. She didn’t let what she did not understand get the best of her, because God was in control, and therefore she did not have to pretend to be. 

Yes, Mary observed the Word of God and followed His will for her life perfectly, just as her Son invites each of us to do, too:

“So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48

As we reflect on today’s Gospel, let us ask Mary to impart her wisdom, her faith and trust, her peace and poise onto us. So worry doesn’t get the best of us. And we can learn how to truly hear the word of God and observe it more faithfully in our own lives.

Ponder:

Where do I need greater faith and trust? Where can I ask Mary to impart her grace on me?

Pray:

O Mary, pray for me; help me to hear the word of God and observe it more closely and confidently.

Click to tweet:
Mary is “full of grace” and “blessed among women” because she chose to believe the Word of God before she bore Him in her womb. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Sarah Damm