Today, in this brief Gospel, we notice the perception of simple people, who – marveled at the person of Jesus Christ - impulsively voice, through a woman’s mouth: “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” (Lk 11:27). This compliment addressed to the Virgin Mary through Christ, is accepted by the Lord who, while pleased, prefers to add: “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Lk 11:28).

It could be said that a new beatitude has been added, the Word’s, which, at the same time, is a new compliment for the Blessed Virgin Mary, this time from Her Son. Because, through her unconditional "fiat", she was the first one to hear and accept God’s Word at the Angel’s announcement. Her "May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38) was an assent of faith that opened an entire world of salvation. As St. Irenaeus says, “by being obedient she became for herself and all of humanity the cause of salvation.”

This beatitude of the Word also reminds us of that other passage from the Gospel where Jesus considers as his family whoever listens to the Word of God and puts it into practice: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” (Lk 8:21).

Mary is the Mother of the Church. Mary is the mother of all those who sincerely accept God’s Word and try to happily fulfill it as her children. The level the Virgin attains in the faith, by listening and practicing the word of God, proposes her as a clear example of faith for the disciple of Christ. The figure of Mary teaches us that believing in the word of God (to listen to it and to practice it) represents a radical change in our everyday life.