Homily from 2016 Convocation for Consecrated Life

Oct. 8, 2016
St. Ann Church, Lawrenceville  

Today’s Gospel from St. Luke is only two verses long, one of the shortest readings in the Lectionary.  Those two verses, however, contain a profound truth: blessed are they who hear the Word of God and obey it.  Two verses, two references, two actions, two recipes for happiness: (1) hearing the Word of God and (2) obeying it, keeping it.

As Jesus traveled about preaching, he attracted a great deal of attention.  The more he traveled, the more he preached, the larger the crowds became.  The Scribes and Pharisees didn’t like the competition.  They were suspicious of Jesus — no, they hated him for his preaching.  Many in the crowds, however, liked what they were hearing.  We see that in today’s Gospel as one of the women shouted out to him, praising his mother — how fortunate she was to have such a Son. Jesus wasn’t correcting her or denying the truth of her enthusiasm.  He, too, believed his Mother to be blessed.  He was inviting others to join her in her response to God’s word.  “Let it be done to me as you say,” Mary proclaimed in her “Magnificat.”

This Gospel gives us an insight into consecrated life: a simple, direct, profound insight and truth.  We hear the Word as it comes — scripture, teaching, charism, rule, experience.  We are called to obey it.  We are called to “clothe ourselves in it,” in Christ.  The Word is the “habit” we wear — actual or metaphorical   The Word is the “rule” we follow. The Word is the “life” we lead.  The Word is the One we follow and serve.

Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Bishop of Trenton