Gilderious Khonglah csc –
Readings: Gal 3: 22-29; Lk 11:27-28
Today’s readings invite us to recognize the importance of faith and obedience to God. They emphasize that physical or external attributes do not confer spiritual blessings or privileges; rather, it is faith in God and obedience to his will that truly matter. External identity—whether family lineage in the case of Mary or adherence to the Jewish Law in the case of the Galatians—are not the ultimate criteria for blessing or salvation. What matters is one’s response to God in faith. In Jesus’ time, physical relationships held great significance. The Jews took pride in being descendants of Abraham. In today’s gospel, an unknown woman in the crowd praises Jesus by saying, “Blessed is the womb that bore You,” referring to his mother.
However, Jesus emphasizes that what truly matters is not his physical lineage but rather the importance of listening to and following God’s Word. He redirects the conversation to highlight that his mother is blessed because of her acceptance of God’s message and her dedication to living by it. This shows us that true blessings come from our faith and commitment to God, not just our family connections.
The gospel demonstrates that actions speak louder than words, a lesson exemplified in the life of St. Wilfrid, whom the Church honours today. He fervently practiced what he preached, living a life of faith and obedience to God. Jesus teaches us that it is better to “do” than to “say.” St. Wilfrid embodied this truth by dedicating his life to the service of others and the Church.