Daily Readings
Brothers and sisters:
Scripture confined all things under the power of sin, that through faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.
Before faith came, we were held in custody under law, confined for the faith that was to be revealed. Consequently, the law was our disciplinarian for Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a disciplinarian. For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 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. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.
PSALM: PS 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Response (R): The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD! <R>
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>
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>
SECOND READING:
Hebrews 2:9-11
Brethren:
We see in Jesus one who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers.
GOSPEL: 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.”
Daily Reflection – 12th October 2024
Today’s Gospel is a short exchange between Jesus and a nameless woman, found only in Luke’s writing. This woman was so inspired by what Jesus was saying that she spontaneously uttered a blessing, directed at Jesus’ mother.
Jesus, without doubt, had the highest regard for his mother, yet he redirects the woman’s words to a much wider group, ‘More blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.’ Jesus’ mother was also a significant member of this much wider group. She, more than anyone else, heard the word of God and kept it. Jesus is saying that if his mother is blessed, it is not so much because she is his mother but because she gave herself over to ‘listening to’ and ‘acting on’ God’s word. Jesus is telling us that if we listen and let our actions ‘speak’ God’s word, we will be just as blessed.
In the first reading, Paul reassures us that we have been justified in Christ; we are now sons and daughters of God through faith. This is all the more reason for us to be attentive to our loving Father.
Source: Archdiocese of Mumbai official website (https://www.archdioceseofbombay.org/)