27th Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Gal 3:22-29
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.
Gospel: Lk 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.”
BE A TRUE CHRISTIAN: What a new world order that Paul is speaking about! By faith everyone has become God’s children. It is a status shared by everyone, not an achievement by our effort but a gift from God. In a world today divided on lines of classes, wealth and status we need to pray more earnestly and establishing it first in our minds and hearts then in our communities and world around. At the center of this transformation is hearing the word of God and obeying it as Mary did. It is not the privilege of giving birth to the Son of God that merits Jesus appreciation of Mary but her listening to God’s word. In the kingdom of equality, fraternity, and freedom that Jesus came to establish Mary is there as the mother of all believers who cares for all her children with equal concern.
Prayer: Mary, our Mother, intercede for your children.
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THE CHOSEN ONES: In the first reading, God is choosing the Israelites as His people. He decides to make Jerusalem holy. He will also punish all the neighbouring nations that caused violence to His chosen nation. He will be their refuge until all the nations know that He is God who dwells in Zion. In the Gospel, Jesus says that the chosen/blessed ones are those who hear the word of God. Also Mary the mother of Jesus is recognised as the chosen one. Today, many people yearn to be associated with the prominent people. Jesus gives us an eye opener that a Christian is one who reads the word of God and lives by it. His mind-space is taken over by Jesus and His teachings. May we live by the Word of God so that we become His chosen ones.
PRAYER: Lord may your words serve as light to our feet and guidance to our minds.
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WE ARE ALL DISCIPLES: The family of God is formed out of all those who listen to the Word of God and put it into practice (Lk 8: 21). It is a family of disciples: listeners and followers of Jesus. In Jesus’ community family ties are not most important aspect. His community is not based on blood, it is a new relationship. One is disciple if he fulfills the word of God in his life. The Word of God makes members of new family that Jesus creates. Jesus does not deny that Mary is blessed; rather he affirms her greatness. Mary is a living example of discipleship; from the beginning she listened and answered God’s word: “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1: 36).
DAILY GOSPEL 