Monastic founder, bishop, and miracle worker known for his kindness to animals. Known as Edan, Modoc, and Maedoc in some records, Aidan was born in Connaught, Ireland. Tradition states that his birth was heralded by signs and omens, and he showed evidence of piety as a small child. Educated at Leinster, Aidan went to St. David monastery in Wales. He remained there for several years, studying Scriptures, and his presence saved St. David from disaster. Saxon war parties attacked the monastery during Aidan's stay, and he supposedly repelled them miraculously. In time, Aidan returned to Ireland, founding a monastery in Ferns, in Wexford. He became the bishop of the region as well. His miracles brought many to the Church. Aidan is represented in religious art with a stag. He is reported to have made a beautiful stag invisible to save it from hounds.
Hebrews 10:11-18; Psalm 110; Mark 4:1-20
Speaking of the priests of his day, the author of the letter to the Hebrews tells us in today’s reading that the sin offerings they made were insufficient for taking sins away. Christ’s offering of himself on the other hand, is perfect and does redeem us, making us perfect in the eyes of God. No more sin offerings are necessary because all sins have been forgiven. Today’s Gospel text contains the story of the sower whose seed fell in various places. Some of the seed died, more of it produced a great crop. The seed, of course, is the word of God being planted in our hearts – in some people it will take root while in others it will be ignored. We are being challenged in this text to look closely at our own lives and our own response to God and we are asked to make a better effort in order to produce a harvest worthy of the redemption Christ won for us.
Speaking of the priests of his day, the author of the letter to the Hebrews tells us in today’s reading that the sin offerings they made were insufficient for taking sins away. Christ’s offering of himself on the other hand, is perfect and does redeem us, making us perfect in the eyes of God. No more sin offerings are necessary because all sins have been forgiven. Today’s Gospel text contains the story of the sower whose seed fell in various places. Some of the seed died, more of it produced a great crop. The seed, of course, is the word of God being planted in our hearts – in some people it will take root while in others it will be ignored. We are being challenged in this text to look closely at our own lives and our own response to God and we are asked to make a better effort in order to produce a harvest worthy of the redemption Christ won for us.