Luke 11:27-28 NRSVue
27While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” 28But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!”
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Reflection on Luke 11:27-28
Inspiration from 2025-10-11 Daily Prayer
Yes, blessed is Mary among women, and more blessed is the fruit of her womb, Jesus. Jesus said his mother and brothers and sisters are those who do the will of his Father. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Further reflection
What do I make of Jesus' reaction here? He risks being blunt with the woman in the crowd and dismissive of his mother.
What is he getting at? What does he really want to say?
What does it say to me?
Here is an encounter with a woman who is attracted, adoring, and envious of Jesus' mother. He responds unexpectedly, not downgrading Mary, but pointing to the source of her blessedness, as her cousin Elizabeth did at the Visitation: Blessed is she who believed in the Lord's promise.
There is an echo here of Mary's Magnificat: Henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Luke points to Mary as the one who pondered God's words (hesitating at the Annunciation), kept them in her heart and reflected back on them when she went down to Nazareth.