AUGUST 9, 2026 FATHER CHRIS LEMIEUX
One of the truths of our Christian faith, but also something that most of us struggle with is that God never abandons His people, even in our darkest hour
In our Gospel today, we find the disciples alone in their boat being battered and tossed about by strong winds and the waves.
Several of them are experienced fishermen, and yet they had no control over what was happening around them.
It’s at their absolute wit’s end, the darkest part of the night that Jesus comes to them – walking across the water.
How often life feels like that.
Most of us encounter storms we never expected: illnesses, grief and loss, intense loneliness, and great uncertainty in life.
There are days when we wonder where God is or why He seems so quiet.
And yet, we’re reminded that Jesus never takes His eyes off His disciples.
Even while they couldn’t see Him – He saw them.
And at exactly the right moment, He came to them.
“Take courage…it’s me…don’t be afraid.”
Those words aren’t only for the disciples on the Sea of Galilee – they’re for each one of us as well.
And then Peter steps out of the boat and, for a few remarkable moments, actually walks on water with Jesus.
Only when he shifts his attention from Jesus to what’s all around him does fear overwhelm him, and he starts to sink.
Isn’t that often our experience?
When we focus on our problems, they can seem larger than life.
But when we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we discover that He’s greater than any storm we face.
And even when Peter begins to sink, Jesus doesn’t scold him, He stretches out His hand and catches him.
That’s the heart of the Gospel.
Our hope doesn’t rest on having perfect faith – it rests in a perfect Saviour who never lets go of those who cry out to Him.
The first reading echoes this same message.
Elijah expects to find God in the wind, the earthquake, in the fire.
Instead, God comes in the sound of a gentle whisper.
Often, the Lord works quietly.
His presence may not remove every difficulty, but it brings the peace and strength we need to face the difficulties.
So, what is one practical way we can live this Gospel this week?
Whenever you begin to feel anxious or discouraged, pause for just a moment and pray the simple prayer that Peter prayed: “Lord, save me.”
It is one of the shortest prayers in the Bible, but also one of the most powerful.
Pray it when you wake in the night.
Pray it before a medical appointment.
Pray it when you receive difficult news.
Pray it when you feel alone.
“Lord, save me.”
And trust that the same hand which reached out to Peter is reaching out to you.
Friends, the storms of life will come and go, but God remains the Lord of everything.
Jesus offers us His words of hope:
“Take courage…it’s me…don’t be afraid.”
If we keep turning our hearts toward Him, we will discover that He has been walking beside us all along.
