St Thomas Aquinas — Receiving the Word

Today’s readings invite us
to listen carefully.

Not just to hear words,
but to allow God’s word
to take root,
to shape us,
and to bear fruit.

In the first reading from 2 Samuel,
David has a good idea.

He wants to build a house for God.

The Ark now rests in Jerusalem.
David lives in a palace.
It seems right, even generous,
to do something great for the Lord.

At first, Nathan agrees.

But that night,
the word of the Lord comes
and changes everything.

God says no.

Not because David’s desire is wrong,
but because David has misunderstood
who is really acting.

“Are you the one to build me a house?”

God reminds David
that He is not a God
who needs to be settled or contained.

Instead, God makes a promise.

“I will make you a house.”

It is not David who builds for God.
It is God who builds for David.

God recalls how He took David
from the pasture,
how He went with him everywhere,
how He gave him victory.

Grace comes first.
Always.

David’s task is not to impress God,
but to receive what God gives.

This reversal prepares us
for the Gospel from Mark.

Jesus sits by the sea
and teaches the crowds
with a parable.

A sower goes out to sow.

The seed is the same.
The sower is generous.
The difference lies in the soil.

Some seed falls on the path.
Some on rocky ground.
Some among thorns.
Some on good soil.

The Word is given freely.
Fruitfulness depends on reception.

Jesus explains the parable carefully.

The Word can be snatched away
before it takes hold.

It can be received with joy
but fade when difficulty comes.

It can be choked
by anxiety, riches,
and the desire for other things.

Only the good soil
hears the Word,
accepts it,
and perseveres.

The question is not
whether God speaks.

The question is
what kind of soil we are becoming.

This brings us naturally
to St Thomas Aquinas,
whose feast we celebrate today.

Thomas is remembered
for brilliance, clarity,
and deep theological insight.

But Thomas himself knew
that knowledge alone
does not make a saint.

Before writing,
he prayed.

Before teaching,
he knelt.

He once placed his work
at the foot of the crucifix
and asked only
to understand God’s truth faithfully.

At the end of his life,
after a profound encounter with God,
Thomas said:

“All that I have written
seems like straw.”

Not because it was false,
but because truth received
is always greater
than truth explained.

Thomas was good soil.

He received the Word
with humility.
He allowed it to grow.
He let it bear fruit
for the Church.

Like David,
he understood
that God does not need us
to build Him a house.

He desires hearts
that are open,
listening,
and receptive.

The danger in today’s Gospel
is subtle.

The rocky ground listens.
The thorny soil listens.

But neither perseveres.

St Thomas reminds us
that faith is not a moment.
It is a lifetime of listening.

Today’s readings ask us:

Are we trying to manage God —
or receive Him?

Are we busy doing things for God
while neglecting
to let Him work in us?

Do we make space
for silence, prayer,
and perseverance?

God promises David
a kingdom that will endure.

Jesus promises fruit
to those who receive the Word.

Thomas Aquinas shows us
what happens
when the Word is welcomed fully.

May we ask today
for the grace to become good soil —
listening deeply,
receiving humbly,
and allowing God’s Word
to bear fruit
in our lives.