He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” – Luke 11:28

       Some words are difficult to listen to because they disturb us and pierce our hearts. I just came from Mass and the priest said words in his homily that disturbed my heart. A part of me knew that God was speaking to me. But the words that I heard were not easy to live out. I needed a major change of heart. I need a lot of grace to observe the words Jesus preached tonight through the priest celebrant.

       It’s so easy to ignore words that are not aligned with our way of thinking or with the way we do things. When someone starts talking about something we do not like or agree with, we tend to tune out. And in case we hear that person out, a lot of times we just let that person’s words slip away as if we didn’t hear anything from him.

       But will it benefit us if we do not let Jesus’ words take root in our hearts? No. If we want to be blessed, we need to listen and let His word transform us. Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag (teresa@fulllifecube.com)

Reflection: What keeps you from applying the lessons you’ve learned from God? Why are you struggling to live them out?

Lord, grant me the grace to not just listen to Your words but to also live them out.

St. Callistus I, pope and martyr, pray for us.

God promises vindication to the faithful remnant of Judah. The idea of a “faithful remnant” can be equally applied in our day to those who are faithful to the Christian calling despite the challenges of the world. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI regularly spoke of a faithful Church — that is, a small Church being better than an unfaithful but big Church. He is right — it is only through our faithfulness to the truth and God’s calling that we can proclaim the Gospel successfully.

12 Thus says the Lord: Let the nations bestir themselves and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit in judgment upon all the neighboring nations. 13 Apply the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come and tread, for the wine press is full; the vats overflow, for great is their malice. 14 Crowd upon crowd in the valley of decision; for near is the day of the Lord in the valley of decision. 15 Sun and moon are darkened, and the stars withhold their brightness. 16 The Lord roars from Zion, and from Jerusalem raises his voice; the heavens and the earth quake, but the Lord is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the children of Israel. 17 Then shall you know that I, the Lord, am your God, dwelling on Zion, my holy mountain; Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall pass through her no more. 18 And then, on that day, the mountains shall drip new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk; and the channels of Judah shall flow with water: a fountain shall issue from the house of the Lord, to water the Valley of Shittim. 19 Egypt shall be a waste, and Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, because they shed innocent blood in their land. 20 But Judah shall abide forever, and Jerusalem for all generations. 21 I will avenge their blood, and not leave it unpunished. The Lord dwells in Zion.

R: Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

1 The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. 2 Clouds and darkness are round about him, justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. (R) 5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. (R) 11 Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. 12 Be glad in the Lord, you just, and give thanks to his holy name. (R)

Jesus affirms that faithfulness to the Word of God is the key to holiness and a blessed life. Being faithful to the Gospel today is not a popular choice. Neither is it the way to a wealthy and comfortable life. However, in the end, it will be the only way to eternal life and that is what really matters. Between a great life here on earth for a hundred years and a life of eternity with God, what will be your choice?

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.

27 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.” 28 He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

think: Are there areas of your life that are still not subjected to the Word of God?

Read the Bible in one year Sirach 6-10

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

ARE YOU A “WATCHENER”?

I was on a long trip one time. I tuned in to a station where a live DJ was talking. The lady began reading out text messages sent to the station. Her words of thanks caught my attention. She said, “Thanks once again to all our ‘watcheners’ for keeping us company!”

       I don’t know if I spelled it right but that was the word I heard: watcheners. It was the first time I heard that word and then after some thought, I realized that radio programs now are no longer just auditory, they also can be viewed through the Internet via live streaming. Nowadays, one does not only listen to DJs, but can also observe everything that goes on in the radio booth.

         Watchener. You do not only listen. You also watch. You observe.

       This is actually what Jesus is telling us today. Notice how he paired listening and observing together. As a tribute to His mother, a woman from the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” In response, Jesus said, “…blest are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.” This is where Mary’s true greatness lies. Observing in biblical language is not only watching with the eyes. Observing is actually the engagement of the whole person, i.e., acting on God’s Word. Mary heard the Word of God and acted on it.

       Listening and acting are inseparable in Christian spirituality. Our worship is built around it. Notice that at the beginning of the Holy Mass, we listen to God’s Word. In the homily, which the presiding priest gives, he “breaks” the Word, so that its wisdom may be unleashed and its power may inspire us to Christian action. In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we are counseled, “Do this in memory of Me.” And having been nourished by the Body of the Lord, we are sent on a mission to “Christify” the world with our Christian witness, “The Mass is ended. Go and proclaim the Good News.”

---------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ----------

When you listen to the homily of the priest, do you consider it only as Sunday

entertainment? Do you make concrete responses and actions to the challenges of God’s Word?

Father, grant me Mary’s greatness. Make me a watchener of Your Word. Amen.