blest best
"Blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it." —Luke 11:28
A woman exclaimed that Mary was blessed by being the mother of Jesus (Lk 11:27). Jesus replied that those "who hear the word of God and keep it" are more greatly blessed.
Many of us have been blessed with good health, great wealth, many children, beautiful families, fame, exceptional intelligence, success in business, power, abundant possessions, or countless other blessings. Nevertheless, none of these blessings can compare with hearing the word of God and keeping it, for God's law and word are more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces (Ps 119:72). When we hear God's word, we hear God and thereby grow in faith (Rm 10:17) by which we accept the grace of salvation (Eph 2:8). Jesus promised: "My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and act upon it" (Lk 8:21). "Blest are your eyes because they see and blest are your ears because they hear. I assure you, many a prophet and many a saint longed to see what you see but did not see it, to hear what you hear but did not hear it" (Mt 13:16-17).
"Blest is the man who reads this prophetic message, and blest are those who hear it and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near!" (Rv 1:3, our transl)
Prayer: Father, may I let You "bless me real good."
Promise: "A fountain shall issue from the house of the Lord." —Jl 4:18
Praise: St. Denis and two companions were beheaded for their faith during a persecution of Christians in Paris. Their bodies were thrown into the Seine River and later drawn out of the water by fellow Christians. Praise You, Lord, for immersing and burying our old nature in the waters of Baptism, and drawing us into new life and resurrection with Jesus! St. Denis, pray for us.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 10, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 16, 1999