Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time Year 2 2022

Title

Blessed are those who Hear the Word of God and Observe It

Outline

We are often encouraged to Bible reading

Some should be and some should not

I know a number of biblical scholars who know the text quite well, perhaps could repeat it from memory, but it has not improved their faith or morals.

We might also be encouraged to listen to the expository or prophetic voice of this or that person - a St. Francis or a St. Bruno, perhaps, or a John Henry Newman

For some it is indeed salvation and for others damnation

Look at what Jesus says

Some women had told him, “Blessed is your mother.” Now we say that too, and it is a word from God, but Jesus has to correct them: what made her blessed was not his birth and lactation, but her “fiat,” Blessed are those who hear the word of God” (which she had from the angel) “and observe it” - there is her “fiat”: there was nothing she could do to observe the angel’s word but simply say “Amen.” God was going to do it all, and her part was to say, “Here I am; so be it.” Yes, she was blessed, but not because she had birthed and raised a noble son. It was because she heard the word of God and observed it.

Then there is Galatians

Scripture came to God’s chosen people to “hold them in custody,” that is, keep them in check, so they would be in a position to give Jesus their allegiance. I dare say that for most of their history they did not understand this purpose.

Both Scripture and prophets indicated that the reason was that “all things” were “under the power of sin.” But by the time of Jesus the expositors of scripture seemed to think that “We’re OK, Jack.” We’re doing everything right. They did not see the Torah as “our disciplinarian for Christ” but as the goal in itself.

So, on the one hand, those who did come to believe in Jesus thought that he merely enhanced the Torah, that all who believe had to become Torah-abiding Jews.

They did not hear or understand the word of God, “through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus.” And especially not, “all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” And that that let a lot of unsavory people into the people of God so that, horror of all horrors, “if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise.” That is, that people are in because they belong to Christ, because they hear his word and obey it, because they are baptized into him and that this has made the disciplinarian side of the Torah irrelevant.

Sisters, this is something that we need to remind ourselves about.

We do need to hear, mark, and inwardly digest the word of God - we hear it in the liturgy, in the readings, in proclamation by faithful preachers (I think especially of Pope Benedict XVI).

But if we put it in our interpretative box and do not see it as leading us to Christ and calling us to deeper obedience, if we make any of this an object of academic study only or a source of our pride, it is useless and could be damning.

We have to give our “fiat” or follow it to Christ or rush to obey, to observe the word for it to be useful to us.

That is why we reflected on St Francis of Assisi this week and on St. Bruno, perhaps, and, hopefully, on the inner meaning of the rosary. All heard and did or, in the case of the rosary, it is about a hearing and doing.

It is a fearful thing to announce the word of God, for some will happily hear and do, acting out of true commitment, while others will only know and, perhaps, debate, if not forget, and for them their hearing will be brought up against them in the last day.

Readings

First Reading

Galatians 3:22–29

22 But scripture confined all things under the power of sin, that through faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.

23 Before faith came, we were held in custody under law, confined for the faith that was to be revealed. 24 Consequently, the law was our disciplinarian for Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a disciplinarian. 26 For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise.

Catholic Daily Readings 10-8-2022: Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

RESPONSE

Psalm 105:8a

8 He remembers forever his covenant,

the word he commanded for a thousand generations,

PSALM

Psalm 105:2–7

2 Sing praise to him, play music;

proclaim all his wondrous deeds!

3 Glory in his holy name;

let hearts that seek the LORD rejoice!

4 Seek out the LORD and his might;

constantly seek his face.

5 Recall the wondrous deeds he has done,

his wonders and words of judgment,

6 You descendants of Abraham his servant,

offspring of Jacob the chosen one!

7 He the LORD, is our God

whose judgments reach through all the earth.

Catholic Daily Readings 10-8-2022: Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Luke 11:28

28 He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

GOSPEL

Luke 11:27–28

27 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.”

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 10-8-2022: Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2022 | ORDINARY TIME

SATURDAY OF THE TWENTY-SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

YEAR 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Galatians 3:22–29

Response Psalm 105:8a

Psalm Psalm 105:2–7

Gospel Acclamation Luke 11:28

Gospel Luke 11:27–28

GREEN