Yes, and

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jl 4:12-21; PS 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Lk 11:27-28
Notes: You are the AND in the ‘Yes, and’ of Jesus’ reply today.

For many of my readers agriculture is a hazy distant reality.
Weather and climate are but a measure of my comfort and my transportation.

The agricultural communities in the USA can relate to the perspective of Joel.
Some places in the daily newspaper would measure the moisture in hundredths of inches.

For example, October rainfall to-date in Elgin, Nebraska is only 0.03″

So in Elgin, Nebraska, the annual rain and annual harvest are real and in-your-face realities.

First reading
Joel brings us an agricultural motif of the divine response to both unrighteous and righteous.

Unrighteous
Apply the sickle,
for the harvest is ripe;
Come and tread,
for the wine press is full;
The vats overflow,
for great is their malice.
Egypt shall be a waste,
and Edom a desert waste,
Because of violence done to the people of Judah,
because they shed innocent blood in their land.

Yes, and…

Righteous
Then shall you know that I, the LORD, am your God,
dwelling on Zion, my holy mountain;
Jerusalem shall be holy,
and strangers shall pass through her no more.
And then, on that day,
the mountains shall drip new wine,
and the hills shall flow with milk;
And the channels of Judah
shall flow with water.

Responsorial Psalm
Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Alleluia Verse
Blessed are those who hear the word of God
and observe it.

Gospel Portion

Blessed is the Blessed Virgin Mary

While Jesus was speaking,
a woman from the crowd called out and said to him,
“Blessed is the womb that carried you
and the breasts at which you nursed.”

Yes, and…

He replied, “Rather, blessed are those
who hear the word of God and observe it.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry