12 October 2019 - observational studies

Today's Readings

(Audio)

He replied, "Rather, blessed are those
who hear the word of God and observe it."

We can't be the son who says he is going to work in the field and then doesn't. Better to be the son who refuses initially but eventually goes to the field.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing (see James 1:22-25)

The word God is supposed to give us our identity. It is supposed to reveal to us the new creations that we have each become in Christ. Yet if we don't let the word actually transform our actions it means we do in fact forget who we are whenever we look away from it. We see the truth of who we are in the word of God, sons, daughters, and heirs according to the promise. But then our lives in the world go on without reference to it, more or less as if this world is all that there is.

Mary is blessed because hers are the breasts at which Jesus nursed. But she is more blessed because she hears the word of God and observes it. She not only hears the words of the archangel but is able to respond, "Be it done unto me according to thy word." She not only sees the living word of God as he grows in age and favor, she treasures in her heart all that she sees. She doesn't just store all of her experiences as data. She treasures and responds with her whole being.

The promises of God are many and they are real. We need to start living our lives based on those promises.

Then shall you know that I, the LORD, am your God,
dwelling on Zion, my holy mountain;
Jerusalem shall be holy,
and strangers shall pass through her no more.

There will be no more strangers because "you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (see Ephesians 2:19-21). The word of God promises and gives grace before it asks anything of us. In order to respond we need to believe those promises and rely on that grace. If we try compliance of any sort apart from that which faith enables it cannot succeed.

Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.