REFLECTION FOR TODAY,
October 10, 2020
By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA
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.” Luke 11:27-28
Do you hear the Word of God? And if you do hear it, do you observe it? If so, then you can consider yourself among those truly blessed by our Lord. To observe the word of God is to live in knowledge of one’s freedom.
Jesus Christ urges his followers and indeed all of us to observe the word of God. To observe the word of God is to live in a relationship with God, a relationship called faith, and with faith comes the freedom of Christ.
Interestingly, the woman speaking to Jesus in this passage was honoring His mother by saying she was blessed to have carried and fed Him. But Jesus honors His mother to an even greater degree by stating what He does. He honors her and calls her blessed because she, more than anyone else, hears the Word of God and observes it perfectly.
Hearing and doing are two very different things. Both of them take much commitment in the spiritual life. First of all, hearing the Word of God is not simply an audible hearing or a reading of the Bible. “Hearing” in this case means that God has communicated to our souls. It means we are engaging a Person, Jesus Himself, and we are letting Him communicate to us whatever He desires to communicate.
Though it can be challenging to hear Jesus speak and to internalize what He says, it is even more challenging to then let His Word change us to the point that we live what He has spoken. So often we can have very good intentions but fail to follow through with action by living the Word of God.
Reflect, today, upon both hearing and observing. Start with hearing and reflect upon whether or not you daily allow yourself to be engaged by Jesus. From there, reflect upon whether you are living what you know He has spoken. Recommit yourself to this process and you will find that you, too, are truly blessed!
Lord, may I hear you speak to me. May I meet You in my soul and receive Your sacred Word. May I also put that Word into action in my life so as to experience the blessings You have in store for me. Jesus, I trust in You.