Lectionary # 450. Scripture reflection for Tue. of 25th week. Sept. 23,2008 a Marian thought...

Scripture: Tuesday of 25th week: Proverbs 21:1-6.10-13. Psalm
119:1.27.30.34.35.44. Luke 8:19-21. Lectionary # 450:

"They also serve who stand and wait." Mary and her extended family
are standing and waiting to see and speak with Jesus, but the crowd
prevents them from this encounter. It surrounds him and encompasses him.
Someone however relays their presence and desire and as Jesus probably
finishes his sermon to the crowd he realizes that she especially can help
him in his mission of bringing good news to others. She has always been
aware of his needs and she has cooperated with what she has discerned as
the will of God. We know that she was always there for him in the
background and on special occasions right within the middle of some of the
important events of his life. Today we learn she stands and waits and
therefore patiently serves him.
The final words that we read in St. Luke are the conclusion of this
event and are really directed to her. He blesses her by saying, "My mother
and my brothers (and sisters) are those who hear the word of God and act
upon it." Luke, our evangelist, is telling us by the context of what he
has said and will say about Mary that she does the will of God and does
listen to the word of God through Jesus. She alone was with him in those
early years of formation at Nazareth and now she is there while he is in
the midst of his mission to the crowds that come to listen to him. In this
contextual reading of what Luke says of her we are told by the great Lukan
scholars that Mary meets the criteria of discipleship. What mother would
not if their son were Jesus or the likes of him!
May we keep Mary in our memories this day and pray, "Mary, open us to
listen to Jesus in all that he says and does. Keep us open to the action
of the Holy Spirit as you were and help us to be like you in assisting him
in his mission. May we like you bring Jesus to others both through the
Gospel and through our own doing of the will of God under the guidance of
the Holy Spirit and the inspired words of God in the Scriptures. Your
mission of bringing Jesus into the world is our mission. Help us to be
aware of our call to do this. So that with you we may say, "May the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit be glorifiec in all places." Amen.