VOICE OF THE LOGOS: REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE TWENTY-SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR 1

Obedience Is Louder Than Miracles

First Reading: Joel 4:12-21
Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 96(97):1-2,5-6,11-12
Gospel: Luke 11:27-28
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Sometimes, we are easily carried away by what we see rather than by what we live. People love noise, signs, and applause. They want things that can be seen, touched, and celebrated publicly. In our world today, we have many people running from one prayer house to another, looking for “prophets,” miracles, and visions, yet their hearts are far from God. Some boast about knowing powerful priests or prophets, but not many boast about knowing the Word of God. We often admire those who speak in tongues, perform deliverance, or lay hands, but we rarely admire those who quietly forgive, who love sincerely, and who obey God in secret. You may have seen someone who shouts the loudest “Amen” in church but cannot live in peace with their neighbor. This is what Jesus meant when He said, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” In God’s eyes, obedience is louder than miracles.

Now, let us connect this to the first reading from the Prophet Joel (Joel 4:12-21). The book of Joel was written during or after a great national disaster in Judah, probably between the 9th and 5th century B.C. Scholars suggest that the prophet lived around the post-exilic period, around 400 – 350 B.C. His people had experienced a plague of locusts that destroyed everything: crops, fields, economy, and joy. Joel interpreted that disaster not as a random tragedy but as a wake-up call, a divine alarm for repentance. His purpose was to remind Israel that external worship and sacrifices mean nothing when the heart is disobedient. The prophet announced “the day of the Lord,” not to frighten but to awaken hearts. When he said God would “gather the nations in the valley of decision” (עֵמֶק הֶחָרוּץ ʿēmeq haḥārûṣ), he was describing a time when people must choose between obedience and rebellion. The Hebrew root ḥāraš means “to decide firmly,” “to engrave.” It’s a valley of no pretense, where choices are carved into the soul. Joel’s people had seen natural calamity, but their real problem was spiritual blindness. God was not demanding noise or sacrifices but a heart that listens and obeys. That’s why Joel later said, “Rend your heart, not your garments” (Joel 2:13). You see, obedience is the language of true worship.

The responsorial psalm (Psalm 97) beautifully continues this thought. It proclaims, “The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice.” The psalmist sees justice and righteousness as the foundation of God’s throne. That means God’s authority is not based on power shows but on right living. When the psalm says, “Light shines for the just, and joy for the upright of heart,” it reveals a spiritual law: those who walk in obedience eventually walk in peace. Obedience is not slavery; it is alignment with God’s rhythm. Just as a musician who stays on key produces harmony, the obedient person lives in tune with heaven. Sometimes, we think God blesses only the loud ones or the miracle workers, but Psalm 97 tells us that God’s glory rests on those who quietly live right. Justice (ṣedeq) and righteousness (mišpāṭ) are like the two pillars holding the universe together. To live in them is to live safely under God’s reign. That is why even in moments of confusion, the faithful can rejoice, because obedience itself becomes their security.

Then we come to the Gospel (Luke 11:27–28). Jesus was teaching when a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you.” It sounded like praise, but Jesus redirected it, saying, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” The Gospel of Luke was written around 80 – 85 A.D., addressed to Theophilus and other Gentile believers to show that Jesus is the universal Saviour. Luke often emphasizes the interior life, the heart that listens, the disciple who acts. Here, Jesus was not rejecting His mother but redefining blessedness. The Greek word used for “keep” is phylassō (φυλάσσω), which means “to guard,” “to protect carefully,” or “to preserve.” It is not a passive act. It means to take the word into one’s heart, guard it like a treasure, and let it shape daily life. In the Jewish world, mothers were honoured because of their sons’ achievements, but Jesus wanted people to see that true honour lies not in physical connection but in spiritual obedience. Mary herself is the perfect example of this, because she not only heard the word but said, “Be it done unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Her greatness was not in giving birth but in believing. This is what Jesus wanted the crowd to understand. In a world obsessed with performance, He was calling us back to quiet fidelity.

Dear friends, God is not impressed by how loudly we pray or how many miracles we witness. He is moved by a heart that listens and obeys. In the valley of decision, God still calls each of us to choose obedience over spectacle. Some people will see miracles and remain unchanged, but one act of obedience can transform an entire life. You may never stand on a stage or perform wonders, but if you can forgive those who wrong you, love those who ignore you, and serve without recognition, you are already doing something miraculous. Remember, obedience is the loudest sermon you can ever preach. As 1 Samuel 15:22 says, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” So, keep listening, keep walking with God, even when no one sees. Heaven is more pleased with a silent “yes” than a noisy “show.”

O that today you would listen to his VOICE, harden not your hearts! (Ps. 95:7)

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Shalom!
© Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Seminário Padre Pedro Magnone, São Paulo, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com

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Have you prayed your rosary today?