Grace and Space

Lk 11:27-28
Hear and observe: The two verses about true blessedness are included in the section of Luke’s Gospel which consists of Jesus’ response to the crowd’s charge that he was a magician, that is, that he cast out demons by the power of Beezebul, the prince of demons. In fact, these two verses form the conclusion of Jesus’ two-pronged response and commentary.
 Within this context, then, the woman from the crowd who calls out, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed” (v 27), is declaring the human source of Jesus’ life—his mother—to be blessed, that is, favored by God. Jesus, however, corrects her. Those who are favored by God listen to the word of God and recognize that God’s kingdom has come. This is a re-emphasis of a favorite theme for Luke—hearing and doing the word of God.
Jesus is one who has heard the word of God, and, through the exorcism that he performed, he has observed the word of God. It is only the rule of God over human life that can prevent the return of the demonic into a person’s life. Therefore, a person must respond properly to God’s kingdom. The one making the proper response, the blessed person, is the one who hears and observes the word of God.