Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas

January 28, 2026 Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Daily Readings: 2 Samuel 7:4-17; Mark 4:1-20

Children of God: Saint Thomas Aquinas was a towering figure in history, not because of his height but because of his mind. He was nicknamed the “Dumb Ox” by classmates because he was quiet and slow to speak, yet his teacher Saint Albert the Great predicted that his learning would one day bellow across the world.
 
He came from a noble family, but he chose a life of simplicity with the Dominicans. His writings later shaped Catholic theology, philosophy, and even modern discussions on reason and faith.

Another fun fact about Saint Thomas Aquinas is that he dictated several works at the same time to different secretaries. He believed that faith and reason were not enemies but partners in the search for truth. 

Near the end of his life, after a mystical experience, he said that everything he had written seemed like straw compared to what God had revealed to him. 

Yet that “straw” became the foundation of centuries of learning. Saint Thomas shows us that the human mind, when open and disciplined, becomes fertile ground for wisdom.

From the life of Saint Thomas Aquinas, we now turn to the gospel story where Jesus speaks about seeds, soil, and growth. The parable is not really about farming, but about how truth is received. 

What are our inspirations for today? What kind of ground are we becoming?

First, the Word of God grows where the mind and heart are prepared to receive it. 

In the gospel story of the parable of the sower, some seeds fall on the path and are immediately taken away, symbolizing hearts that never really engage with the Word (Mark 4:15). A closed mind, even if educated, cannot receive truth.

Saint Thomas Aquinas reminds us that preparation matters. He spent years studying, praying, and disciplining his mind so that truth could take root. The seed grows where there is patience and effort.

Today, distractions harden the soil of our hearts. We scroll, multitask, and rush, leaving little space for reflection. The parable invites us to slow down and prepare the ground so that what we hear can truly take root.

Second, growth depends on depth and perseverance. 

Some seeds fall on rocky ground and sprout quickly, but they wither because they have no roots (Mark 4:16–17). Initial enthusiasm is not enough when challenges arise. Without depth, faith and understanding collapse under pressure.

Saint Thomas Aquinas knew struggle well. He faced family opposition, intellectual challenges, and personal doubts. Yet he stayed rooted through discipline, prayer, and perseverance. Depth allowed his faith and reason to endure.

The gospel reminds us that lasting growth takes time. Faith, values, and wisdom mature only when we remain rooted during difficulties. What matters is not how fast we start, but how deeply we remain grounded.

Children of God: The parable of the Sower and the life of Saint Thomas Aquinas teach us the same lesson. Seeds need good soil, and ideas need prepared minds. 

Faith needs openness, and growth requires depth. We are invited to examine the condition of our own hearts. Are we hardened by distractions, shallow in commitment, or choked by worries? Or are we willing to become good soil, patient and persevering? 

When the ground is ready, growth is inevitable.