a woman from the crowd called out and said to him,
“Blessed is the womb that carried you
and the breasts at which you nursed.”
He replied, “Rather, blessed are those
who hear the word of God and observe it.”
The Greek word for "observe" is phulassontes meaning to "keep eye an eye on"as when the shepherds of Bethlehem were "keeping" their flocks with unwavering vigilance. Jesus is saying that when we keep his words, guard them, treasure them, we are like his mother. Like Mary we want to watch over the Word with love and a tender, open heart; to attend to the Word and his desires for us.
Madonna and Child by Eric Gill.
