Jesus’ redirection of the woman in today’s Gospel reminds me of when a student asks, “I did my homework, are you proud of me?”. Am I proud of you for meeting expectations? Sorry, kid, but no. Similarly, Jesus explains that, yes, Mary is blessed, but not for the “mom things” she did because she was a mom. Mary is blessed because she said "yes" when God called her to do something extraordinary. God doesn’t ask us to simply meet expectations - God calls us to exceed them.

In our own lives, God’s call may not come with angelic fanfare, but God still calls us to holiness by asking us to do extraordinary, sometimes unimaginable, things - hard things, scary things - things that take risk, and sacrifice, and courage, and faith. Things like: embracing a new position that may demand greater service and sacrifice; standing up for the marginalized and doing what is right, even when it may lead to backlash; humbling ourselves to admit fault and seek reconciliation, especially when our pride wants us to stay silent; having a difficult conversation with someone, calling out injustice or hurtful behavior, but doing so with kindness and compassion.

What extraordinary thing is God calling you to, today?

—Jackie Schulte is the Dean of Faculty Formation and a history teacher at Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska. 

Loving God,
You are my constant guide and gentle call.
In the quiet and the chaos, help me to echo Mary’s "Yes" in the places of my life where you ask for my trust, my heart, and my surrender.
Amen

—Jackie Schulte