Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Words Become Deeds
Liturgical Cycle: A | Lectionary Cycle: II
Introduction
Year II. The disciplinarian of whom Paul speaks was the slave in charge of the education of the young. That was the role of the Jewish law. But now that Christ has come, that educator is no longer needed. Faith has come and has made us children of God, whether we are Jews or pagans, free people or slaves, male or female. Without any distinction, we belong to Christ.
Gospel. In the gospel, a woman admires Jesus, and with perhaps a hint of jealousy, she exclaims that indeed the mother of Jesus must be a fortunate woman to have such a son. Jesus’ answer goes deeper, to a deeper motherhood, for those who bear Jesus, the Word of God in their hearts and their lives: those therefore who bring forth Jesus in faith.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
your Son was born into this world
from the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We praise you for your goodness
but we also ask this of you:
Let your Son be born in us in faith,
in our lives: in our words, our thoughts,
our attitudes and all we do.
And then, out of the fullness in us,
may we share him with those around us
as the Lord who belongs to all
now and forever.
First Reading
However, the Scriptures have declared that we are all prisoners of sin. Therefore, the only way to receive God’s promise is by believing in Jesus Christ.
Slaves and Children
Before faith arrived, the law kept us confined and in custody until faith appeared.
The law then served as a guardian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith.
With faith, we no longer follow this guidance.
Now, in Christ Jesus, all of you are children of God through faith.
All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Here, there is no longer any distinction between Jew and Greek, or between slave and free, or between man and woman; but all of you are one in Christ Jesus.
Because you belong to Christ, you are part of Abraham’s lineage and entitled to inherit God’s promise.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who hear the word of God
and observe it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
As Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out to him and said:
“Blessed is the one who gave you birth and nursed you!”
Jesus replied:
“Truly blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it as well.”
Prayers of the Faithful
– That we may be grateful to the Lord Jesus that we know him and love him, we pray:
– That with Mary we may pray that God’s word may be fulfilled in us, we pray:
– That there may be more people to hear the word of God proclaimed to them, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God our Father,
your sons and daughters pray to you
to give us here and now your Son Jesus Christ.
Let him warm our hearts,
make us similar to him,
fill us with his Holy Spirit,
that he may become fully alive in us and we in him
and that through us his light may shine
and drive away the darkness of this world,
for Jesus is our Lord for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
create us anew through your word
and let Jesus, your living Word,
grow in us day after day.
May we keep rising with him
above our self-sufficiency
and learn from him to bring him to life in others
with an extended hand, a gesture of compassion,
and a smile of hope to the lonely.
Let him live in us now and forever.
Blessing
The word of God is not just a word but an action. That is even the meaning of “word” in the Old Testament: both word and action. May the word of God become action in us, deeds of goodness and love and service. And may almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTIONS
Luke 11: 27 -28
Faith comes by listening
The concept of "beatitude" often brings to mind the eight blessings outlined in Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. These blessings are for the poor, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted and insulted for the Kingdom. However, today's Gospel introduces another group who are blessed: those who listen to the Word of God and follow it.
The blessedness of the Blessed Mother is first recognised in the Gospel even before Jesus is born. When the Annunciation takes place, we hear comparable words from the angel, who says, “Blessed are you among women.” Moreover, as we pray the “Hail Mary,” we continue to acknowledge her blessedness.
Jesus is clarifying: The true blessedness of his Mother is her faithfulness to the Word of God. She listened and observed it. Jesus invited his disciples to be attentive to the Word, to take it to heart, discover its beauty and truth, and live it. Today, he invites us to enter into that blessedness and relationship with Jesus by listening to him and living by his Word.
In Matthew 12: 50, we would listen to Jesus saying, “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. The message is clear: “Listen to him”, and Mary reminds us during the wedding at Cana: “Do what he tells you.” “Listen to him and do what he tells you.”