Dear Questioner,

The word "rather" in this passage doesn't mean "instead of", but something that is more pertinent to think about, which is that Mary is an icon of the Church.

Those who have faith in Christ and are baptized into Him, become members of the family of God that will last forever. Hence, being Christ's disciple is most important. Mary displayed both; not only was she the one who gave birth and nursed Christ, but more importantly she was also His number one disciple.

Paul

Dear Questioner,

Just to add to what Paul has said, when Our Blessed Lord declares in this public setting:

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

As Scott Hahn has said, Mary's reply, if someone had recorded it, would have been something like:

Bingo, Son, you got it again! What makes me:

• Your Mother and Mother of God

Is that I said, "Be it done undo me, according to Thy Will." (Luke 1:38)

This is something every Christian should be echoing with Mary.

• Why?

Because the Blessed Mother, with us, all make up the Body of (Christ, who is alone the Head),
so when we say, Yes, to God in our life, we are imitating Mary.

What that means to me, is without knowing it: Protestants are imitating Mary : )

Hope this helps,

Mike