19 September 2026
Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Luke 8:4–15

Today is Saturday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time. The passage taken from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke presents to us the parable of the Sower spoken by Jesus.

First, Luke tells us: At that time, a great crowd gathered, and people from town after town came to Jesus. (Luke 8:4) This is a beautiful image. Jesus comes out of the house and sits down by the sea, and a great multitude gathers around Him. This image recalls to my mind our Holy Father Pope Francis. Pope Francis did not choose to reside in the Apostolic Palace but lived in the Domus Sanctae Marthae until his death. Like Jesus, he kept the People of God close to himself. He continually taught the flock entrusted to him in faith. Likewise, our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, following the example of his predecessor, constantly gathers the People of God in Saint Peter’s Square.

From the parable of the Sower spoken by Jesus (cf. Luke 8:5–8), we see the relationship between the People of God and the Word of God. Still more clearly, from Jesus’ own explanation of this parable (cf. Luke 8:10–15), we perceive the relationship between the Word of God, the People of God, and this world. For the seed is the Word of God. The Word of God was with God in the beginning. (John 1:2) From the moment we come forth from the womb and enter this world, God unceasingly reveals to us the mysteries of the Kingdom through “all things were made through Him and for Him” (cf. John 1:3). With His infinite mercy, God further reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom to us through our parents and elders, our schoolmates and teachers, our colleagues and superiors—all fellow creatures—who by their toil and sweat water the seed God has sown in our hearts, so that it may sprout and grow. Our hearts, the environment in which we live, our parishes, our communities, and the integrity of those who proclaim the Word of God to us—all these determine whether the Word of God can take deep root within us and bear fruit. Likewise, our conduct reflects our understanding of the Word of God. If we fail to grasp the Word of God fully, integrally, and rightly, those who live with us may, on account of our imperfect words and deeds, come to a mistaken understanding of the Word, so that the Word cannot bear abundant fruit in this passing world through the faithful proclamation of the People of God. Yet if we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God and act according to His holy will, the seed of the Word sown by God in our hearts will bear abundant fruit—and likewise in the hearts of all those whom He is pleased to enlighten.

Look upon us, O God, Creator and ruler of all things, and, that we may feel the working of your mercy, grant that we may serve you with all our heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica