Tag: savior

“Blessed are those . . .”| Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 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.”

In today’s Gospel, a woman calls out from the crowd, rejoicing in the holiness of Jesus and blessing the mother who bore and nursed him. Jesus responds in a way that might seem terse and unsympathetic. Yet, the words “the womb that carried you” bring to mind Mary, the Ark of the New Covenant. What Jesus brings to all who hear him—what he fulfills through his life, death, and resurrection—is the old law and commandments brought to perfection in the new covenant. So rather than contradicting what the woman says to him, Jesus, the incarnate Word, takes her words to show us that blessedness is born by hearing his word, bearing it within, and observing it.

God, help me understand the promptings of the woman who called out to Jesus even as he was speaking. Rejoicing in the holiness of your Son, the woman couldn’t help but shout for joy. As the psalmist says, “Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name.” How often today will I see before my eyes an opportunity to rejoice in your name? I often struggle throughout the day to be aware of your presence at all, let alone rejoice in you. Let your word dwell in me today, aware and grateful for your presence in prayer, in the Scriptures, and in the sacraments. Give me the grace, Lord, to hear and observe your word and to know genuine delight in that.

From the responsorial psalm: “The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. Clouds and darkness are round about him, justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

“Whoever is not with me is against me.” | Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 11:15-26)

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus responds to some among a crowd who believe he drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul. Although aware that he had just driven out a demon, others in the crowd ask him for a sign from heaven to test him. Jesus knows their thoughts and makes clear in challenging their logic that he is the source not of division but of unity. He says to them, “And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? . . . If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out?” By asking that question, Jesus presents us with a fundamental choice and an invitation into his kingdom. He is, as he says, the one stronger than Satan who, by the finger of God, attacks and overcomes the kingdom of darkness and restores us to unity with his Father’s kingdom: “Whoever is not with me is against me,” Jesus says, “and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Father almighty, thank you for sending your Son to free me from the powers of darkness. Give me the grace today to arm myself in the struggle against evil. Everywhere, the day presents fundamental choices. As the psalmist says, “Make known to me your ways, LORD; teach me your paths. Guide me by your fidelity and teach me, for you are God my savior, for you I wait all the day long.” Dwell in me, Lord; keep me safe from the darkness and division of the evil one. “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart.”

From the Gospel acclamation: “The prince of this world will now be cast out, and when I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all to myself, says the Lord.” Lord, in your mercy, draw me to yourself!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.