Sunday, October 11, 2015

Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle B - October 10, 2015

Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
October 10, 2015          8:30am

 

So, let’s put today’s brief gospel in context.
When the angel Gabriel told Mary that she was to bring God’s Son into the world, Mary quickly responded:
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Mary heard the Word of God and followed it.

Today, a woman, in effect, says to Jesus:
“Your mother should be proud to have given birth to such an impressive son.”
And Jesus, in effect, responds:
“It is better if your belief in me gives birth to respect for others no matter what, and to care for the poor, the abused, the oppressed and the depressed.”

So Jesus is by no means denying or putting down the greatness and uniqueness of his mother.
Actually, he is calling us to be like his mother.
Mary heard the word of God and followed it.
And Jesus is saying to this woman that he wants us to do the same.
He doesn’t want us to get caught up just in adoration and awe of him.
Instead, he wants us to balance or complete that with an attitude and mindset and lifestyle that are like his.

He knows that his mother had done that and now he wants us to do the same.