Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 21, 2021
On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.
Such large crowds gathered around him
that he got into a boat and sat down,
and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:
“A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.
Some 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.
But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
I started writing this reflection on actual paper on Father’s Day. It was fitting because my father grew up one of thirteen kids in rural eastern Kentucky during the Depression. He lied about his age, left home, and joined the US Navy as a young teenager, seeking adventure and hope on the open seas. Along the way, he developed his own set of “parables.”
He had about thirty memorable quips, but his most used and favorite was, “You reap what you sow.” Since he had six sons, he usually used it after someone made a mistake.
I believe Dad was trying to guide us and help us set course for our early lives. Jesus is doing the same in today’s gospel. He is the sower, guiding those who would listen through their spiritual lives. In today’s world, this is more relevant than ever. The seed eaten by the birds could be like those who are too busy with social media or smart devices to listen to his word. Or perhaps the seed withers with those who revel too much in the instant gratification of online shopping. Others’ proper use of God’s blessings may be choked off by selfishness or sin.
Having graduated from Notre Dame nearly 40 years ago, I have a lot of perspective about how those four years shaped me, about how fortunate I was to fall on the rich soil of Notre Dame, Our Mother. Although I remember very little from what I learned from a book, Our Lady has somehow nurtured me through medical school and a career as an orthopedic surgeon. In that field, I have been given the gift of helping people walk again, one of the many fruits of the bountiful harvest God has produced in my life. What I have come to realize is that Notre Dame taught me that it is my job to use my gift to the best of my abilities. Every day I take time to nurture that gift with self-education, meditation, and encouragement from God through prayer.
I pray that everyone finds their gift, that it falls on fertile soil, and that it produces a hundred fold. Since we have but one life to live, it is essential that we do so in the fullest way possible.
Prayer
Lord God, we give thanks to all who planted and toiled in the fields to produce the food that will nourish us this day. Help us similarly to plant and sow seeds of compassion, love and forgiveness to all whom we encounter this day. Be with us Lord as we sow these seeds of Your goodness, for you are our One God, forever and ever. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Lawrence of Brindisi had a brilliant mind and used his influence to build the kingdom of God in both the secular and sacred spheres of his day.
He was born in Brindisi in the kingdom of Naples in 1559, and given the name Cesare de Rossi. He was educated by Franciscans, and furthered his studies in Venice. He decided to follow his teachers, and became a Capuchin Franciscan priest, taking the name Lawrence.
He had a near perfect recall of Scripture, and learned Greek, Hebrew, German, Bohemian, French, and Spanish. Lawrence’s preaching was noticed by many, and he was entrusted with more responsibilities. Soon he was given tasks by both the pope and the emperor that took him through Italy and Germany, where he founded new monasteries and developed the Church.
In one case, Lawrence even led the army. The emperor sent Lawrence to help the German princes repel Turkish forces threatening Hungary. Lawrence was appointed chaplain of the forces; known for his wisdom, the generals asked his advice when they faced a confrontation with the enemy. Lawrence advised attacking, and even rode before the army carrying a crucifix. The Turks were soundly defeated, and the victory was attributed to Lawrence’s assistance and example.
Lawrence continued to assist rulers of his age as a messenger and diplomat, and used his influence to improve governance and promote peace. He was worn out from all of his labors and travel, and died in 1619. When his life and writings were reviewed in his cause for canonization, it was declared that he was to be honored as a doctor of the Church. Most of his writings were sermons, which stood out for teaching the faith so well.
Relics of St. Lawrence of Brindisi rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Lawrence of Brindisi, you were the diplomat who used your mind and heart to build the kingdom of God—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Lawrence of Brindisi is in the public domain. Last accessed March 20, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
