Gospel: August 9, 2026
August 9, 2026 (Sunday)
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 3 (Green)
Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)
Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
1st Reading: 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a
2nd Reading: Romans 9:1-5
Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately, Jesus obliged his disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowd away. And having sent the people away, he went up the mountain by himself, to pray.
At nightfall, he was there alone. Meanwhile, the boat was very far from land, dangerously rocked by the waves, for the wind was against it.
At daybreak, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When they saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, thinking that it was a ghost. And they cried out in fear.
But at once, Jesus said to them, “Courage! Don’t be afraid. It’s me!” Peter answered, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said to him, “Come!”
And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water to go to Jesus. But seeing the strong wind, he was afraid, and began to sink; and he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and took hold of him, saying, “Man of little faith, why did you doubt?”
As they got into the boat, the wind dropped. Then those in the boat bowed down before Jesus, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God!”
Lectio Divina:
Do not be afraid.
Read: The prophet Elijah escaped the wrath of Jezebel, the queen, who sought to kill him. He lamented to God that the Israelites had forsaken their covenant with Him. In this reading, God appeared to Elijah in the murmur of a gentle breeze, instructing him to return to his work. In the second reading, Paul expressed grief over the unbelief of his people, the Israelites. In the gospel, the Lord appeared to the disciples who faced a storm on the lake, telling them, “Do not be afraid; it is I.”
Reflect: In our life journey, the focus of our gaze must always be Jesus, especially when problems and the storms of life come. The gospel story reminds us that Jesus is there for us, journeying with us. Even in his silence or seeming absence, when he does not answer our prayers, He is still there and does not abandon us. When we find our faith weakening, we need to call Jesus. When we think we are already sinking, we only have to hold out our hands and allow Jesus to take them and bring us up. Let us always remember the Lord’s voice: “Do not be afraid.”
Pray: Lord, please assure me of your presence when life’s storms come, especially when I feel like a failure.
Act: Help a friend who is facing difficulties in life.
