It was the word "breasts" that got everyone's attention. There was a jostling movement in the crowd and a shrill woman's voice coming from somewhere off to the left. Most of what she was saying was unintelligible, but some words stood out.
She was babbling, saying something about breasts and a womb, or something like that. “I Love you Jesus” was in there somewhere too.
Jesus had been talking to a crowd, but he grew quiet as she grew louder. And then he stopped talking altogether.
The crowd parted, and an old woman burst into the opening where Jesus was standing. She stumbled forward and looked around in a confused way. Then she saw Jesus and rushed forward, falling at his feet.
"Jesus, Jesus, how I love you. God's own anointed. You have the words of life. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus. Oh Jesus.”
Jesus filled his mouth with air, held it for a moment, then let it escape in a burst from his lips. His cheeks emptied like two balloons.
"Okay grandmother. I thank you, but..."
Before he could finish she stood and shouted loudly, "Blessed are the beautiful breasts that suckled you, and blessed is the womb that carried you safely to us. Oh, the blessed breasts and womb of your mother.”
With that she sank down again and rocked back and forth, murmuring her little prayer over and over. "Oh the blessed breasts and the womb."
The crowd was stunned by the strange woman and fell silent. Even Jesus didn't know what to say. And then the laughter started near the back. It moved in waves, back and forth until everyone was laughing.
Peter and Thaddaeus lost it and bent over, sniggering behind their hands. Some of the other disciples were biting their lips, and their shoulders were shaking.
Jesus laughed loudly, but only for a moment. He bent over, still smiling, and whispered to the woman who was still rocking back and forth, clinging to his robe. Then he stood and looked at the crowd until everyone was quiet.
"Listen. As honored as I am by the words of love from this good woman, hear me now. Blessings do not come from adoring ME. Blessings come to those who hear the words of God and live by them."
"It is the way you LIVE YOUR LIFE that brings blessings or curses upon you. It is the way you live that matters. If you really love me, then follow me, and live well."
Later, as the crowd melted away, the disciples were gathering their things and making plans for supper. Peter noticed Jesus looking back at the old woman who had fallen asleep in the shade of a tree. He stood beside Jesus, and they both watched the woman who was snoring softly.
Peter chuckled and said, "Woman's out of her mind. It WAS funny, though. Oh well, what do you want to eat?" He turned to walk away, but Jesus did not move.
He turned his head to talk to Peter, but kept his eyes on the woman. “You know, that scared me. She's a sweet old woman, but that's not good. That kinda shit can get WAY out of hand, you know what I mean?”
Peter turned back and looked at the woman again. “Well, okay, but you told em what you wanted. They understand what you're about. Don't worry about it. Let's go eat.”
He grabbed Jesus' elbow and tugged him toward the disciples, but Jesus kept his head turned, staring at the woman as they walked away.
And he seemed very preoccupied for the rest of the evening.
Luke 11:27-28:"While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!" But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!"