| Mass Intro. Saturday, October 10, 2009
"Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed." As Christ is in the womb of Mary, Christ is in our hearts. “It is true of the Virgin Mary that she conceived Christ in her womb, but all who are chosen share in carrying him in their heart with love”. Saint Peter Damian goes on in that one thought in this brief passage. “We too are blessed when we are mindful of carrying him constantly in our heart”. Commentary of the day : (http://www.dailygospel.org) Saint Peter Damian (1007-1072), hermit then Bishop, Doctor of the Church Sermon 45, PL 144, 747 Blessed are they who welcome the Word of God Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 11:27-28. 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." He replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." It is true of the Virgin Mary that she conceived Christ in her womb, but all who are chosen share in carrying him in their heart with love. Blessed, yes, very blessed the woman who carried Jesus in her womb for nine months (Lk 11:27). We too are blessed when we are mindful of carrying him constantly in our heart. Certainly, Christ's conception in Mary's womb was a great marvel, but it is no less of a marvel to see him become the guest of our heart. That is the meaning of John's testimony: «Here I stand knocking at the door. If anyone hears me calling and opens the door, I will enter his house and have supper with him, and he with me.» (Rev 3:20) ... Here again, my brothers, let us consider our dignity and our resemblance to Mary. The Virgin conceived Christ in her womb of flesh, and we carry him in the womb of our heart. Mary nourished Christ by giving his lips milk from her breast, and we can offer him a varied meal with the good works, which delight him. |
The Mass Luke 11:27-28 leads on Harmony of the Gospels (Ronald Knox Translation)
PUBLIC LIFE - FIRST PERIOD (DISPUTE WITH PHARISEES)
| MATTHEW | MARK | LUKE |
| Matthew 12:46-50 46 While he was still speaking to the multitude, it chanced that his mother and his brethren were standing without, desiring 47 speech with him. And someone told him, Here arc thy mother and thy brethren 48 standing without, looking for thee. But he made answer to the man that brought him the news, Who is a mother, who are brethren, 49 to me? Then he stretched out his hand towards his disciples, and said, Here are my 50 mother and my brethren! If anyone does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother. | Mark 3: 31-35 31 Then his mother and his brethren came and sent a message to him, calling him to 32 them, while they stood without. There was a multitude sitting round him when they told him, Here are thy mother and thy 33 brethren without, looking for thee. And he answered them, Who is a mother, who are 34 brethren, to me? Then he looked about at those who were sitting around him, and said, 35 Here are my mother and my brethren! If anyone does the will of God, he is my brother, and sister, and mother. | Luke 11 :27-28 27 than the first. When he spoke thus, a woman in the multitude said to him aloud, Blessed is the womb that bore thee, the breast which 28 thou hast sucked. And he answered, Shall we not say, Blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it? 8: 19-21 19 And his mother and brethren came to visit him, but could not reach him because 20 of the multitude. So word was given him, Thy mother and thy brethren are standing 21 without, asking to see thee. But he answered them, My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God, and keep it. |
Centred by St. Peter Damien’s commentary to Luke 11:27-28, the question is whether the Synoptic parallels correspond accurately.
Is this an isolated Pericope, “Jesus tells a woman about obeying God’s word”?
Peter Damien speaks beautifully to the heart of Jesus word. Can he go further see that though extend to the words of Matthew and Mark, so close to each other.
It is an interesting study, as has not come my way before!
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