Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

A woman in the crowd praises the mother who bore Jesus, and he redirects her blessing to something available to everyone: hearing the word of God and keeping it. Blessedness is not a matter of proximity or biology, but of receiving and living the word.

Paul concludes his teaching on the law's temporary role: it was our disciplinarian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith, and now that faith has come we are no longer under a disciplinarian, for all are children of God through faith in Christ Jesus, baptized into Christ and clothed with him, so that there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, but all are one in Christ. Psalm 105 calls the people to give thanks, make known God's deeds, and glory in his holy name. In the Gospel, a woman in the crowd raises her voice and says, "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed," and Jesus responds, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."

Lord Jesus, you clothe us in yourself at baptism: Lord, have mercy. Christ Jesus, in you there is neither slave nor free, male nor female, but one new creation: Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you bless all who hear the word of God and keep it: Lord, have mercy.

Introduction: Father, in Christ you have made us all your children by faith. Hear the prayers we bring before you:

1. For the Church, that she would be one body in Christ, without division by status or standing; we pray to the Lord.
2. For unity among all peoples and nations, that old divisions would give way to what unites us in Christ; we pray to the Lord.
3. For all who hear the word of God this week, that they would also keep it; we pray to the Lord.
4. For mothers, that like Mary they would be blessed above all in their faith and not only in motherhood; we pray to the Lord.
5. For all who keep the First Saturday devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary; we pray to the Lord.
6. For all who have died, especially [name], that they who heard the word in this life would see it fulfilled in the next; we pray to the Lord.

Concluding prayer: Father, you have clothed us with Christ and made us your children through faith. Receive the prayers of your people, unite us as one body, and let us be counted blessed for hearing your word and keeping it. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.