GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Luke 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.”
The word of the Lord
What Is Better…
It’s good to do good things and say kind words, but today Jesus in the Gospel urges us not to settle for what is merely good, but to seek what is best: to listen to the Word of God and to live it out. And it is precisely those who listen to the Word and put it into practice whom Jesus calls blessed. Like Mary, our Mother—she is “the Blessed One,” not only because she carried Jesus in her womb, but especially because she listened to the Word of God and fulfilled it.
Jesus reminds us again today of the need to listen to God’s Word, which is essential to understanding His plan for us. There is no other way. If we don’t dedicate time to be with the Lord, silencing the noise of the world and paying attention to His voice—seeking that intimacy He desires with each of us, which is forged in prayer—it becomes impossible to hear Him and know His will.
And for us as spouses, nothing is better than conjugal prayer. It is our tool for intimacy with Him and for knowing Him, and it gives us the opportunity to hear what God wants for our marriage. But it’s not enough to just listen to His Word—we must also live it, bring it into our lives, and align everything we do with His will.
That’s why Jesus calls blessed those who—first—listen to the Word of God, and—then—put it into practice. Spouses, this is our path to true blessing, our highway to happiness, because our Father in heaven knows what is best for us, His children.
Applied to Married Life
Susana: Michael, we’ve been invited to a gala dinner at the casino next Saturday. You have no idea how excited I am!
Michael: Susana, isn’t that the same day we have our couples’ group meeting at the parish?
Susana: Oh, you’re right—I hadn’t realised the overlap. But it’s just one time, it won’t hurt to miss a day.
Michael: I’m not so sure. We have a commitment to the community. And besides, those meetings with the other couples have been so good for us—our marriage has grown a lot since we started going.
Susana: Oh Michael, just this once… I’ve dreamed of going to that dinner for years, and now the opportunity has come up.
Michael: Susana, what will that really give you? Look, why don’t we bring it to our conjugal prayer tonight and see what the Lord tells us?
(That night, during their conjugal prayer…)
Susana: Jesus, in this Gospel You tell me that Your Mother is blessed because she listened to the Word of God and lived it. I’m excited about going to that fancy dinner—I don’t see anything wrong with it. But through Michael, You’ve reminded me that it falls on the same day as our couples’ meeting. And in this Gospel, You’ve shown me the importance of hearing Your Word and fulfilling it, of doing Your will. You’ve helped me see that there’s something better than that dinner—because in those group meetings, we’re being formed and deepening our understanding of marriage as You intended it. They help us grow in our marital vocation. And it’s true that every time we go, I come back renewed and excited about our marriage. Lord, thank You for giving me my husband, my suitable help.
Michael: Thank You, Lord, for my suitable help—and for showing us through our prayer what is better.
Mother,
You, who are the Blessed One because you listen to the Word of God and live it, teach us to pray and to have intimacy with God, to listen to His Word, to treasure it in our hearts, and to always say yes to His will. Blessed and glorious are you, Mother! May our Lord be praised forever!