Staying focussed in choppy waters

Sunday 9 August 2026

Lectio Divina:*

1 Kings 19:9-13 Psalm 85(84)

Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 14:22-33 Walks With My Father — Matthew 14:22-33. [22] “Immediately Jesus made the...

Meditatio:

‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ (Matt 14:27)

Commentary:

(See, also, Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:16-21)

In today’s first reading we hear of Elijah meeting God on mount Horeb – not in scenes of thunder, noise and commotion but in the ‘sound of sheer silence’ (1 Kings 19:12) according to one English language translation (NRSVA). Other versions have ‘a still small voice’ (RSV) or ‘a gentle breeze’ (CEV) 

The message that emerges is that God speaks gently and almost silently.  We can hear if we are still and at rest. The idea of a whisper or a gentle breeze evokes memories of a time when the Holy Spirit spoke to us in a delightful way.