Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor / Wednesday of Week 3 in Ordinary Time
First Reading
2 Samuel 7:4–17
God speaks to Nathan about David: “You shall not build a house for my dwelling; but I will raise up your offspring to succeed you.” God promises David an enduring dynasty, revealing that his reign will found a lasting kingdom.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 89(90):4–5, 27–28, 29–30
“We will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.” The psalm rejoices in God’s faithfulness and covenant, remembering God’s promise and steadfast mercy.
Gospel
Mark 4:1–20
Jesus teaches the crowds from a boat, telling the parable of the sower. Some seeds fall on wayside, rocky or thorny ground, but the seed sown on rich soil bears abundant fruit — illustrating receptivity to God’s Word.
Reflection
In today’s Mass readings we encounter a profound promise and its fulfilment in the Word of God. In the First Reading, God speaks to David through the prophet Nathan, establishing an everlasting covenant: a dynasty that will endure in God’s gracious purpose. This promise of a stable reign rooted in divine fidelity foreshadows the coming of Christ, the fulfilment of God’s saving plan.
The Responsorial Psalm celebrates God’s enduring love and steadfast covenant with the chosen one. “We will sing for ever of your love, O Lord,” reminds us that God’s mercy and faithfulness transcend human frailty and time. Our praise arises from confidence in God’s unwavering presence and promise.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the imagery of sowing to reveal how the Word of God is received. The seed — God’s Word — meets varied soil: hard, shallow, choked by cares, or ready to bear fruit. Jesus challenges us to be that rich soil. Saint Thomas Aquinas, whose memorial the Church honours today, devoted his life to deepening his understanding of that Word and helping the faithful receive it more fully.
Our task is to prepare the soil of our hearts so that the Word of God may take root, flourish, and yield fruit in service, love and faithful obedience. Today is an invitation to examine what prevents the Word from flourishing within us — whether hardness, distraction, fear, or divided loyalty — and to open ourselves more fully to the transforming power of Christ’s teaching.
A moment of pause
Where is God’s Word being sown in your life, and what room does your heart make for it to grow and bear fruit?
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