19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A - When the Storm Gets Loud, Look for Jesus! & “Shelter Me, O God”

Life has a funny way of reminding us that we are not in control.

One minute everything seems calm, and the next, we are in a storm. Sometimes it is a storm we can see: illness, family problems, financial worries, disappointment, or loss. Other times, nobody knows there is a storm because it is happening quietly inside us: fear, anxiety, loneliness, doubt, addiction or simply being tired of carrying too much.

The disciples in this weekend’s Gospel knew something about storms. They were in the boat, the wind was against them, and the waves were getting stronger. Then, in the middle of the night, they saw Jesus coming toward them. But they didn’t recognize Him.

Isn’t that interesting? Sometimes God is right there in the middle of our storm, and we mistake His presence for something frightening or unfamiliar.

Peter then does something wonderfully brave and wonderfully Peter-like! He says, “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you.” And Jesus says, “Come.” Peter steps out of the boat. For a moment, he is actually walking on the water. But then he looks away from Jesus and starts looking at the waves.

And down he goes!

Perhaps that is one of the simplest lessons in the Gospel this weekend: we cannot always control the storm, but we can decide where we look. When we spend all our energy staring at the waves, our problems, our fears, our disappointments, they can become bigger than everything else. But when we keep our eyes on Christ, we remember that the storm is not the whole story.

And notice what happens when Peter begins to sink. He doesn't give Jesus a long speech. He simply cries out: “Lord, save me!”

And immediately, Jesus reaches out His hand. Not eventually. Not after Peter had figured everything out. Immediately.

The first reading gives us another beautiful lesson. Elijah is waiting for God, expecting something spectacular. There is a powerful wind, an earthquake, and fire … but God is not found there. Then comes a tiny whisper. Perhaps we sometimes miss God because we are waiting for Him to shout. God often speaks in the quiet: in prayer, in the Eucharist, through Scripture, through a kind word, through a friend, or simply through that gentle peace He places in our hearts.

So perhaps today we can ask ourselves three simple questions:

What storm am I facing?
Where am I looking, at the waves or at Jesus?
And have I become quiet enough to hear God's voice?

We may not be able to stop every storm. But we never have to face one alone. Jesus still comes walking across the waves. And when our courage fails and we begin to sink, we can always pray the simplest prayer of all: “Lord, save me.”  And He will reach out His hand.

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In honor of this weekend’s Gospel, we would like to share our latest video.

“Shelter Me, O God” by Bob Hurd is a tender prayer of trust based on Psalm 16, Psalm 61, and Jesus’ image of gathering His people beneath His wings. Its refrain of “Hide me in the shadow of your wings; you alone are my hope” gives voice to every heart seeking refuge, courage, and peace in God’s faithful care.

On this Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, as the disciples struggle in a storm and Peter cries, “Lord, save me,” Jesus reaches out His hand and says, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:22–33). May this hymn remind you that, through every wave, darkness, and fear, the Lord never leaves your side.

Video can be watched by clicking here or by clicking on the thumbnail below.