Honour Mary
Joel 4:12–21; Psalm 96; Luke 11:27–28
While Jesus was speaking, 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!” Like a prophet, this woman spoke from the crowd and revealed an eternal truth. There are many prophetic voices today that lack the truth. Many speak to flattery; Joel, in the first reading, spoke to remind the people of their sins.
Jesus said to her, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” We are called to hear the word and put it into action. James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Again, with the words, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” This woman became the first person to fulfill the prophecy of Mary that “all generations shall call me blessed”. This woman in Scripture called her blessed? Why can’t you call her blessed? Why do we act as though she doesn’t matter? Let us join the host of angels and saints to honor the Mother of Jesus.
Let us pray.
Almighty, ever-living God, who in the abundance of your kindness surpasses the merits and desires of those who entreat you, pour out your mercy upon us to pardon what conscience dreads and to give what prayer does not dare to ask. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
