ACC ~ Luke 11 v27 - 28

MARY BLESSED BY FAITH

AUGUSTINE: Mary was more blessed in accepting the faith of Christ than in conceiving the flesh of Christ. To someone who said, “Blessed is the womb that bore you,” he replied, “Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.”

Finally, for his brothers, his relatives according to the flesh who did not believe in him, of what advantage was that relationship? Even her maternal relationship would have done Mary no good unless she had borne Christ more happily in her heart than in her flesh. HOLY VIRGINITY 3. [1]

[1] FC 27:146*.

THOSE WHO WORSHIP JESUS ARE BLESSED

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: “Blessed is the womb that bore you.” He took blessedness from the one who bore him and gave it to those who were worshiping him. It was with Mary for a certain time, but it would be with those who worshiped him for eternity. “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 11.10. [1]

[1] ECTD 180.