Spiritual Deepening!

Saturday, October 11, 2025

Joel 4:12-21; Lk 11:27-28

Today’s Gospel highlights the meaning of spiritual deepening. 

The text presents a woman praising the blessedness of Jesus’ mother, Mary, for having given birth to a Son, who was adored and admired by all those who followed him. 

While it appears in the text that Jesus moves on to the topic of discipleship in a hurried manner, scholars believe that Jesus’ action does not ignore the recognition due for his mother. In what he preaches, Jesus offers a corrective to show how discipleship can be superior to any other kinship ties. 

Scholars suggest that Jesus’ response to the woman can be translated as, ‘Yes indeed, but more blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.’ Thus, instead of contradicting the woman’s praise, Jesus calls for a deepening of it. 

For Jesus, true blessedness transcends physical motherhood and points to obedient discipleship. In other words, spiritual relationships are far superior to biological relationships. 

Thus, in Luke’s presentation, one can understand the true greatness of Mary. He does not diminish the importance of Mary’s role in God’s salvific plan for humanity but shows how or why she is truly blessed. It is Mary’s faith and obedience that elevates her model of discipleship above all others. 

Spiritual deepening happens when we practice authentic discipleship in word and deed. 

Let us pray that we may do justice to our Christian vocation in faith and obedience.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar