Two weeks ago, I wrote a newspaper article, an open letter to the newly elected president of Sri Lanka, entitled "Dear Mr. President..." In this letter, I reminded him that while his responsibilities to the nation are enormous, he should also prioritize his personal life, particularly his relationship with his aged mother. I wrote, “Your mother, like the rest of the nation, deserves your time. Because she was once first is why today you stand as the first citizen of our motherland.” Two close friends commented on the piece remarking, “Loved the last part...taking care of mother and the motherland,” and “Your mother should be so proud.” It got me thinking about what the president would have said.

I recalled that experience reflecting on the moment in today’s Gospel passage where a woman in the crowd praises Jesus' mother by saying, "Blessed the womb that bore you and the breasts that fed you!" But instead of simply accepting this praise of His mother, Jesus redirects the focus. He says, “More blessed still are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Jesus does not disregard the importance of His mother; instead, He seizes the opportunity to point to something greater—our relationship with God and our duty to live out His Word—the mission God has for each one of us. For Jesus, it was an opportunity to awaken the crowd to the idea that the greatest form of blessedness lies in obedience to God’s word, rather than in mere biological or social ties. He acknowledges the role of His mother, but He emphasizes that hearing and keeping God’s word is the true path to blessedness.

Just as Jesus moves from his personal relationship with his mother to his doing the will of God, in First Reading, Paul moves from the law to the faith revealed in Jesus Christ. This faith is what justifies believers, freeing them from the Law's constraints. Paul is clear that faith supersedes the Law, reflecting how individuals fundamentally relate to God, no longer through strict adherence to rules but through faith in Christ. This way, Paul declares that all who have faith in Christ are children of God, regardless of their backgrounds or social divisions–there is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, or any other distinction whatsoever. This statement is revolutionary in its assertion that faith in Jesus Christ transcends all human distinctions, calling us to embrace the all-inclusive love of God that breaks down all barriers that divide us.

Put together, the readings of today invite us to examine our own lives and ask whether we are living out our mission, the Word of God, the Logos, or the personified love of God, that our faith in Jesus Christ has revealed. In our attempt to truly listen to and keep God’s word, are we willing to transcend our differences, look beyond our personal relationships and comfort zones, breaking down the barriers that divide us? Are we ready to elevate our perspective keeping God's mission at the forefront of our lives while maintaining love and respect for those around us?