12 October 2024 - Only By Grace Reflections

TOPIC: AM I A BLESSING TO MY FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS?

First Reading: Job 42: 1-3, 5-6, 12-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 119: 66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130
Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25
Gospel: Luke 10: 17-24

In pointing out the source of true and lasting blessedness, Jesus actually magnified the compliment given to His mother. Yes, Mary was blessed simply because of the gifts she was offered, but she achieved true blessedness by how she received those gifts: humbly, obediently, courageously. Mary is the first and best Christian, the one who "heard God's word and obeyed it" to an incomparably marvelous degree. She is the first of Christ's followers and the one who can best teach us Christian discipleship.

Elsewhere in his Gospel, St. Luke describes beautifully and consistently Mary responded to God's action in her life: But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19). She was continually hearing God's word as it was spoken through all the events of her daily life, and she continually obeyed that loving word by nourishing her heart on it and fulfilling all that the Lord asked of her.

Am I a blessing to my family and neighbors?

This is the 1630th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.

[NOTE: Let us listen to our brother Solphie Confiado, Country Coordinator for CFC Egypt, as he brings us today's reflection.

All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for Christ’s Facebook page. In You Tube, just type ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS]