Someone called out from a crowd, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” To this Jesus responded, “Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11: 27–28).
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Jesus was told that his “mother and brothers” were looking for him. Gazing at those seated around him he answered, “Who are my mother and my brothers? These are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to me” (Mark 3: 33–35).
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Thus Jesus rejected the claims of blood or natural kinship in favor of discipleship. In this perspective Mary’s preeminence is due to her having exemplified the spirit of true discipleship: attention, reverence, and obedience to the word and will of God.
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It was in the space created by Mary’s faith—and not simply in her womb—that the Word became flesh. (Fritz Eichenberg wood engraving.)

Jan 1, 2020 · 3:24 PM UTC

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Replying to @RobertEllsberg
I bought your All Saints in March and read each day's saint biography since then. I found it transformative, inspirational, and entertaining. Now I will wrap around and read it from the beginning, intending to read it the same way until year's end.
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I will do the same!
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