When an unnamed woman praises Jesus’ mother he answers: “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Mary’s is truly blessed not because of the biological fact of bearing and weaning a child but because she responded to God’s will in her life with “Be it done unto me according to your word.” Not family, but faith. One thing we have learned in the current Church is that family no longer is sufficient to ensure the transmission of the faith to the next generation. Just because one’s grandparents and parents are Catholic does not mean that the children and grandchildren will be Catholic. Just because someone is Polish or Italian or Mexican does not ensure that they will remain Catholic. If culture could carry the faith forward in the past it no longer does so today. Rather, as Jesus says, we must create an environment where the word of God is heard == a word of love, compassion, forgiveness, generosity. Then we must live out that word so that we are bearing witness to the transforming power of the word of God to make a life worth living.
