Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time — August 9, 2026

Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook and Instagram.

Click here for the readings.

In today's first reading, Elijah discovers that God is not found in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. Instead, the Lord comes in the whisper of a gentle breeze. It is a reminder that God often speaks most clearly in the quiet moments of our lives—in prayer, in silence, and in the ordinary events of each day. 

Yet God is present not only in the quiet, but also in the storms. 

In today's Gospel, the disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee in the middle of the night when a violent storm arises. The wind is against them, the waves are crashing around them, and they are afraid. It is there, in the midst of their struggle, that Jesus comes to them, walking on the water. 

Peter says, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 

Jesus responds with one simple word: "Come." 

Peter steps out of the boat in faith and, for a moment, he does the impossible. But when he takes his eyes off Jesus and begins to focus on the wind and the waves, fear overtakes faith, and he begins to sink. 

How often does that happen to us!  

We begin with confidence in the Lord, but the storms of life—illness, grief, uncertainty, disappointment, or anxiety—draw our attention away from him. Fear can overwhelm us when our eyes are fixed more on the waves than on Christ. 

Still, Peter had enough faith to pray one of the shortest and most beautiful prayers in Scripture: "Lord, save me!" 

Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and pulled Peter back to safety. 

The Fathers of the Church often saw the boat as an image of the Church. Though the winds may rage and the seas may be rough, Christ never abandons his people. He is with us in every storm, just as surely as he is with us in the quiet moments. 

Jesus asks each of us to step out in faith. Sometimes we may feel as though we are walking on water. Other times we may begin to sink. But whenever that happens, we need only pray Peter's prayer: "Lord, save me." 

Christ will always reach out his hand. He will always lift us up. And he will always lead us safely to where he wants us to be, eventually even to Heaven itself where every storm has been calmed by the grace of our loving God. 

Have a blessed week, everyone.