While he 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.”
As Jesus continues speaking to the crowd, a woman calls out in praise of His mother. Her words express admiration for Jesus by honoring the woman who gave birth to Him and raised Him. In doing so, she fulfills what Mary herself had proclaimed when she praised God for choosing her to be the mother of the Savior: “From now on will all ages call me blessed” (Luke 1:48).
Jesus responds by directing attention to the deeper meaning of blessedness: “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it” (v. 28). He teaches that true blessedness comes from receiving God's Word with faith and living according to it. Hearing God's Word means listening attentively and receiving in our hearts what God reveals. Observing it means allowing that Word to guide our decisions, actions, and way of life.
Jesus' response also helps us understand why Mary is blessed. At the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel announced God's plan for her, Mary responded, “May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Elizabeth later praised Mary's faith, declaring, “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Luke 1:45). Mary continued to live in faithful obedience to God throughout her life, even during the suffering and death of her Son. She is blessed both because she is the mother of Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, and because she faithfully heard and obeyed God's Word.
This teaching also connects with Jesus' earlier declaration: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it” (Luke 8:21). Jesus reveals that everyone who hears and obeys God's Word is invited into a close spiritual relationship with Him. Mary provides an outstanding example of the faith and obedience to which every disciple is called.
Coming immediately after Jesus' warning about the continuing danger of evil (Luke 11:24–26), today's Gospel also reminds us that remaining faithful to God requires an ongoing response to His Word. Listening to Jesus and putting His teaching into practice strengthens our relationship with Him and helps us remain steadfast in faith.
Lord Jesus, open our hearts to hear Your Word and give us the faith and courage to live according to Your teaching. Help us follow Mary's example of trusting in God's promises and faithfully doing His will. Amen.
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Sources and References
- The New American Bible, Revised Edition. Washington, DC: Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, 2011. Luke 11:27–28 and accompanying notes.
- Hahn, Scott, and Curtis Mitch. The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2010. 130.
- Casciaro, José María, gen. ed. The Navarre Bible: New Testament, Expanded Edition. Dublin: Four Courts Press; New York: Scepter Publishers, 2008. 299.
- Brown, Raymond E., Joseph A. Fitzmyer, and Roland E. Murphy, eds. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1990. 703, §130.
- Martin, Michael Patrick. The Gospel of Luke. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2010. 228.
- Aguilar Chiu, José Enrique, et al., eds. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. New York: Paulist Press, 2018. 1069.
- Collins, John J., Gina Hens-Piazza, Barbara Reid, OP, and Donald Senior, CP, eds. The Jerome Biblical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century. 3rd fully revised ed. London: T&T Clark, 2022. 1328.
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