Cor Vitae Formators program Closing Retreat
Galatians 3:22-29
Luke 11:27-28
Reflection:
In today’s readings, we are reminded of God’s radical love and inclusion. St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians (3:22-29) and the Gospel of Luke (11:27-28) offer profound insights into our identity in Christ and how we live in response to God’s Word.
In Galatians, Paul emphasizes that through faith in Christ, we are all children of God. There is no distinction between Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female—everyone is one in Christ. This message is revolutionary because it breaks down barriers that have historically divided humanity. Paul is telling us that in Christ, there is a new reality, a new creation. The old divisions and discriminations have no place in God’s family. Our worth and identity come from being clothed in Christ through faith and baptism, not from external circumstances or societal divisions.
This message connects deeply with today’s Gospel. A woman in the crowd cries out, praising Jesus’ mother, saying, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” (Luke 11:27). But Jesus redirects her attention to a deeper truth, responding, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Jesus is not dismissing His mother’s blessedness, but He is pointing out that true blessedness comes from hearing and living out God’s Word.
Both readings today call us to a profound shift in understanding. Our true identity is not based on our status, lineage, or achievements. It is rooted in our relationship with God and our obedience to His Word. We are not outsiders; we are beloved children, invited into the family of God through faith.
So, what does this mean for us? First, it means we need to look at ourselves and others through the lens of this radical equality in Christ. There are no second-class citizens in the Kingdom of God. We are all called to be one, and this should shape how we treat one another—with dignity, love, and compassion.
Secondly, it calls us to listen and respond to the Word of God in our lives. Just as Jesus said, true blessedness comes not from external ties or honors, but from hearing and obeying God’s Word. We must ask ourselves: How are we living out the Gospel in our daily lives? Are we reaching out to the marginalized and forgotten? Are we living as people who truly believe that there is no division in Christ?
In this light, consider Jesus as the God who is unafraid to touch us, to draw near to us in our brokenness, as we reflected earlier. He reached out to the untouchables, the marginalized, and those who were seen as less than. He broke down every barrier that separated people from God’s love.
Let us be imitators of Christ by breaking down barriers in our own hearts and communities. Let us recognize that our true blessedness comes from hearing and living out the Word of God. And in doing so, we proclaim to the world that we are one in Christ, loved and called to love without division or hesitation. Amen.