who hear the word of God and observe it.”
But we can't observe it, not completely. "Cursed be everyone who does not persevere in doing all the things written in the book of the law" (cf. Gal. 3:10). We do some of the things, but never all of them. This should make us ask, "Who then can be saved?" (cf. Luk. 18:26).
Yet in spite of these barriers, in spite of this apparent impossibility, we know that the womb that carried Jesus and the breasts at which he nursed are indeed blessed (cf. Luk. 1:42). We despair of our ability to keep God's word. "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Mary has to hear the same thing. She has to hear the angel say, "nothing will be impossible with God" (cf. Luk. 1:37). The only reason she can hear the word of God and give her fiat is because she is given the grace by God himself. This is why the angel calls her "full of grace".
Jesus elevates our minds from the fleshly and merely natural. Blessings don't simply come from genetics or bloodlines. He elevates our minds even from the realm of our own effort and will, still bound by the limits of nature. He reveals that true blessing is supernatural. True blessing is the grace to receive the word of God as Mary does.
It is this grace that allows Mary to trust in God. This grace allows her to have faith. It is this faith that unites her to Jesus more than just flesh and blood. The power of the Holy Spirit comes upon her and covers her with his shadow because she has the faith to believe that God's promise to her will be fulfilled. That is why Elizabeth says, "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!" (cf. Luk. 1:45).
Jesus elevates our minds to this grace because "through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus." This same faith that makes Mary the mother of Jesus unites us as her children, children of the one Father, and brothers and sisters of Jesus.
If blessedness was about bloodlines we would have no entry into it. If it was about our own effort we would fail. But it is a gift. It is freely and generously given in baptism. We are united and clothed with Christ. It is grace!
He is faithful to us. He never forgets us. Not even for a moment. Because of this we receive the grace to respond in faith.
The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
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