Where His Blessed Mother lived during the three years of the Public Life we are not told; some think she remained at Nazareth, others that she settled with her relatives at Capharnaum. Twice we find her mentioned in the Gospel. Jesus was speaking one day to the multitude when a man in the crowd said to Him:
"Behold Thy Mother and Thy brethren stand without seeking to speak to Thee."
Our Lord would not interrupt His teaching, and again taught the lesson given long years ago in the Temple, that before any call of affection, however holy, however tender, must come His Father's business. Answering him that told Him, He said:
"Who is My Mother and who are My brethren?"
And stretching forth His hand towards His disciples He said:
"Behold My Mother and My brethren. For whosoever shall do the Will of My Father that is in Heaven, the same is My brother and sister and Mother."
Again, when a woman in the crowd, filled with admiration for the Son, had broken out into words of blessing on the Mother, Jesus said:
"Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it."
He did not mean that as Mother of God Mary is not blessed among women, but that she is more blessed for hearing His words and doing His will, for that habit of pondering in her heart of which St. Luke tells us twice in the same chapter.
"Hail, full of grace!" said Gabriel first. And then—"Blessed art thou among women."
