Daily Gospel Reflection
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January 29, 2025
On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea.
A very large crowd gathered around him
so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down.
And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land.
And he taught them at length in parables,
and in the course of his instruction he said to them,
“Hear this! A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and the birds came and ate it up.
Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep.
And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it
and it produced no grain.
And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit.
It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”
He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”
And when he was alone,
those present along with the Twelve
questioned him about the parables.
He answered them,
“The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you.
But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that
they may look and see but not perceive,
and hear and listen but not understand,
in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.”
Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable?
Then how will you understand any of the parables?
The sower sows the word.
These are the ones on the path where the word is sown.
As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once
and takes away the word sown in them.
And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who,
when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy.
But they have no roots; they last only for a time.
Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
they quickly fall away.
Those sown among thorns are another sort.
They are the people who hear the word,
but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches,
and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word,
and it bears no fruit.
But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it
and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”
Some of my favorite parables are those followed by an explanation from Jesus. I find it comforting that the disciples were often confused by Jesus’ teachings and sought clarification. Jesus graciously obliges in today’s gospel, explaining that we should strive to provide rich soil for the seed to fall on, that it may produce a bountiful harvest.
But what makes the soil rich? What conditions are required for a seed to grow roots, sprout, and bear fruit? Elementary science classes teach that seeds need water, exposure to air and sunlight, and nutrient-rich soil. These lessons can also be applied to our faith lives.
The water of baptism—the outpouring of God’s grace—reminds me that faith is a gift. God is the Sower, scattering the seed. My role is simply to receive the water of grace and allow it to nourish the tender shoots.
Exposure to air and sunlight speaks to my environment. I am encouraged to surround myself with people who support my faith journey and to frequent the sacraments. Eucharistic adoration allows me to bask in the Son’s light, transforming tiny seeds into vigorous plants.
Finally, nutrient-rich soil is required. For soil to be rich, organisms must die and decompose, surrendering their nutrients to the soil. As a mother, dying to self currently looks like responding to my newborn’s cries in the middle of the night or patiently potty-training my toddler.
How are you being called to die to yourself and love the people God has placed in your life? What habits and routines need to be put in place to nourish the soil of your soul? Are there any weeds or thorns that are choking the sprouts of faith and need to be removed?
The seed has been sown; the Good News has been proclaimed. Let’s create the conditions that will allow it to grow and bear great fruit.
Prayer
Lord, your saving Word takes root in those who hear and accept it, those who do good and are upright. Help us to find your way of sincerity, patience, and truth. May we always be humble in seeking your way. Enable our faith to be filled with the blessing of charity in all things, that we might bear fruit a hundredfold. Amen.
Saint of the Day

Major relics of the early Christian martyr St. Severa rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica. Upon entering the chapel, visitors are immediately drawn to a wax figure of St. Severa, which rests above two lead boxes that contain her bones.
Severa was a child in a Christian family of martyrs who were killed in the early Christian persecutions. Her parents are Sts. Maximinus and Secunda, and her brothers are Sts. Mark (not the evangelist) and Calendine. Severa's entire family is commemorated all together on this feast day.
Maximinus, her father, commanded a thousand soldiers. When it was discovered that he was converting many of his soldiers to Christianity, he was condemned to work in the mines. When he continued to make converts even there, he was executed.
His wife, Secunda, and her children were arrested and brought to trial. Secunda died from the anxiety of the crisis itself, and Mark, Calendine, and Severa were scourged and martyred.
St. Severa, the child-martyr whose bones rest in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart—pray for us!