Daily Gospel Reflection
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July 26, 2023
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.”
The image of Jesus speaking from a boat just offshore from a standing crowd creates an idyllic scene—just a man gently speaking to his followers in a time without smartphones, microphones, or PowerPoint. How different from our lives today!
Yet when I first read this parable, I felt it was particularly harsh and judgmental. Three out of four times, the sown seed failed to yield! What does Jesus expect from us?
Now, four years into my attempt to retire from the practice of law, I wonder how many ways the “evil one,” my “lack of deep soil, “ or the “lure of worldly riches” kept me from long overdue spiritual renewal and growth? Alas, I am not at all happy with my answer.
Then my wonderful wife of fifty-one years came to my rescue and offered her view of this parable. She shared her view that the body of Christ encompasses people of many callings. We need good lawyers just as we need good teachers, social workers, etc.
We cannot all be like Mother Teresa. Jesus speaks approvingly not only of seeds that yield 100-fold but also of seeds that bear 60 or even 30-fold, so resist the anxiety of the search for perfection. Instead, concentrate on the loving message of Jesus so it is at the heart of what I do.
In this timeless parable, Jesus encourages his followers to examine their consciences and to be aware of life‘s distractions. More importantly, at least for those like me who tend to push hard in an “all or nothing” mode, Jesus isn’t demanding perfection.
So, yes, it is time for me to “tend to the seeds” planted with me in my early life. But I will do so with this parable’s positive awareness and encouragement.
Thank you, FaithND, for inviting me to slow down from my hectic pace and tend more carefully to my spiritual life, and thank you, Ann (again), for your loving guidance.
Today’s prayer is written by Rev. Thomas O’Hara, C.S.C.
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.
Thank you for listening to the Daily Gospel Reflection from FaithND, an outreach of the Notre Dame Alumni Association.
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

Sts. Anne and Joachim were the parents of Mary and are patron saints of grandparents.
We do not know much about Joachim and Anne—even their names have been handed on to us by tradition. The stories that have come down to us tell that they were likely well-off, and had been childless for most of their marriage. An angel appeared to them both to announce a birth in their old age, and Anne promised to dedicate the child to the service of God. Mary was their only child, and they presented her at the Temple when she was 3 years old, prefiguring the presentation of Jesus.
Though we know little about these people, the Church holds the parents of Mary in great esteem because they were the ones who taught her the faithfulness that she demonstrated in accepting God’s invitation to bear Jesus to the world.
Anne and Joachim are depicted in the Basilica in several places, including many wall murals that depict the life of Mary. They are shown here in this stained glass window from the Basilica, and their relics rest in the reliquary chapel there—including a piece from their house where they raised Mary.
Visit the church built over their home in Jerusalem, and join ND pilgrims in singing the alma mater there, through FaithND's virtual Holy Land pilgrimage.
Sts. Anne and Joachim, patron saints of grandparents—pray for us!