blessed discipleship
"Blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it." —Luke 11:28
Mary prophesied that all ages would call her blessed (Lk 1:48). This prophecy was fulfilled when a woman cried out to Jesus: "Blest is the womb that bore You and the breasts that nursed You!" (Lk 11:27) Jesus replied that Mary and each of us are blessed by being disciples of Jesus, that is, those "who hear the word of God and keep it" (Lk 11:28).
Being a disciple of Jesus means being blessed as Mary was and saying with her: "I am the slave of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word" (Lk 1:38, our transl). Being a disciple of Jesus means having the blessed privilege of denying our very selves and taking up our crosses daily (Lk 9:23). Being a disciple of Jesus means being a blessing to all nations (see Gn 12:2-3) by making disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19).
Jesus said to His disciples: "Blest are your eyes because they see and blest are your ears because they hear" (Mt 13:16). All ages to come will call Mary, and Jesus' other disciples, blessed. Blessed are you!
Prayer: Father, bless us disciples and these Thy gifts.
Promise: "All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Him." —Gal 3:27
Praise: Martha asked her employer to allow her to say "God bless you!" to customers, and was pleased to be granted consent.
Reference: (For a related teaching on The Challenge of Making Disciples in a Culture of Death, order, view or download our leaflet or order, listen to or download our CD 97-1 and CD 97-3 or DVD 97 on our website or order our tape on audio AV 97-1 and AV 97-3 or video V 97.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 31, 2016
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