Short Homily for January 28, 2025
Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas
Today’s readings and the witness of Saint Thomas Aquinas meet beautifully around one theme: a heart open to God’s Word.
Hebrews reminds us that Christ’s sacrifice is once for all—a gift we receive, not something we earn. God writes His law on our hearts, inviting us to live from grace rather than our own strength.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the sower. The seed is always good. The question is the soil. Thomas Aquinas is a model of rich soil: humble, prayerful, and receptive. For all his brilliance, he knew that faith begins with listening. His theology flowed from adoration, especially before the Eucharist. Near the end of his life, after a profound encounter with God, he said everything he had written felt like “straw” compared to the reality of God’s love.
Thomas teaches us that truth is not just something to study—it is Someone to encounter. And when our hearts are open, God’s Word bears fruit beyond anything we could imagine.
Reflection Questions
- What kind of soil is my heart today—open, distracted, or crowded
- Do I approach faith as information to learn or a relationship to deepen
- How might I imitate Thomas Aquinas’ humility and devotion this week