Readings and meditation on the Word of God on the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 9, 2026

Delivered by Johana, Clairine, Dwi Setyo and Michaela from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. 1 Kings 19: 9a.11-13a; Rs psalm 85: 9ab-10.11-12.13-14; Romans 9: 1-5; Matthew 14: 22-33.GOD COMMANDS US TO FIGHT THE STORM OF EVIL  The theme for our meditation on this 19thSunday in ordinary time is: God Commands Us to Fight the Storm of Evil. There were twochildren—siblings—playing by the seashore while the waves were high andcrashing loudly against the sand. Their mother sat under the tree watching them. The mother advised themnot to go into the sea to play with the waves, because it would endanger them.They just played on the shore with the waves crashing against the sand. They hadto take care of each other while playing and running. According to Jewish tradition and belief, especiallyduring the time of  Jesus, the waves ofthe sea, the strong currents, and the wind on the surface of the sea were signsthat Satan and evil spirits were threatening to attack whoever was aroundthere. This threat was experienced by the apostle Peter when he wanted to meetJesus by walking on the water which was being controlled by this evil power.Jesus himself stepped on, trampled on it and walked to the direction of theapostles. He was on his way to bring calm and peace to His apostles who were soterrified by the threat. If the experience of Peter and the other apostles happenedat sea, the prophet Elijah's experience was on land, on mountains andespecially in the cave of the rock. The evil power also threatened the holyprophet. There were three signs of Satan's power and evil spirit, namelyhurricane, earthquake and fire. All were tempting and trying to destroy Elijah,but this holy and most faithful prophet paid no attention to those temptationsof the evil one. At last he was able to meet the Lord in a gentle breeze, andhe was given by God a mission to be the prophet for his own people. The Lord isindeed our peace. Both Peter and Elijah ended up going through serioustrials in order to meet God. It is precisely when big and terrible threatsindeed come to attack, the Lord Jesus comes for our rescue and gives usstrength so that we can fight them with confidence. If we lose faith, courage,and power that have been given to us, we will fall and perish. The storm ofevil threatens us indefinitely, because the evil power has his own wills thatwe never expect. Therefore we must stay alert and grow stronger in our faith. According to our readings today, Satan or the evilspirit threatens us both when someone is alone like Elijah or when we aretogether like the apostles of Jesus. This threat can strike us while prayinglike Elijah or when we are working like the apostles in their boat. In whateversituation and time as the threat comes, we must live with God's command, namelystepping on it and trample on it, so that we can walk freely and in peace.According to Saint Paul, we do that only for the glory of God.Let'spray. In the name of ... O most loving Father, may this Sunday celebrationstrengthen our faith and make us more obedient to Your will. Our Father who artin heaven ... In the name of the Father ...