God's Help in Times of Trouble

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time: August 09, 2026

Readings: 1 Kings 19:9, 11–13; Psalm 85:9–14; Romans 9:1–5; Matthew 14:22–33

St. Peter is Walking on the Water by Lluis-Borrassa

Often we think that we are strong. We are not afraid of anyone. We keep going, until at an unexpected moment, a turn takes place. We think that we are failing. We are losing. There is no one to help. In fact, we are sinking. Our life is uncertain. As mortals and sinful persons, we cannot predict our future with certainty. There is nothing that is sure or certain. COVID-19 showed us that none of us are immune from ill health. Illness and death come at an unexpected hour. God can take us from this world at any time. In these fragile circumstances, our life teaches us a lot. We must hang on to someone who is more powerful than us. God, who gave us the possibility of making our life possible on this earth, knows how to strengthen us when we are sinking. The liturgical readings on this 19th Sunday in the Ordinary Year invite us to see that God is our strength. We must listen to Him and never doubt in His promises. 

1. Storms of life come and go

The Gospel of this Sunday, Matthew 14:22–33, begins immediately after the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. Jesus sends his disciples ahead by boat while he withdraws to the mountain to pray. The disciples, however, find themselves caught in the middle of a storm. The winds are against them, the waves threaten them, and darkness surrounds them. It is precisely in this moment of fear and helplessness that Jesus comes walking on the water.

This incident is not about a miracle but about the journey of faith and trust. Often the boat is represented as the Church. Each one of us navigate turbulant waters of life. Storms come in many forms and various ways: illness, failure, broken relationships, uncertainty about the future, financial struggles, loneliness, or spiritual dryness. At times, we feel as though God is distant, while we struggle to keep our lives afloat.

2. Jesus never abandons

Often we are stuck with fear and anxiety rather than hope and courage. We don't find Jesus in such moments but find someone whom we never believed or experienced! The disciples of Jesus find in him a ghost. Fear clouds their vision. The same could happen to us. The disbelief takes over us. The absence of God in such moments becomes greater and stronger than the earlier experiences of his presence and peace. Even though Jesus seems absent, he is with the disciples in spirit.  Often, we may not see Him, but He never loses sight of us.

In moments of suffering, especially if it is long, sudden or chronic, we sometimes fail to recognize God's presence. We wonder, "Where is God?" Yet He comes to us in unexpected ways—in the encouragement of a friend, in the strength to endure, in the quiet assurance during prayer, or through the Eucharist. We must take courage. Jesus never abandons His disciples. Then why should we abandon him in such a precious moment? 

3. Taking courage has a value

Jesus has beautiful words of encouragement. "Take courage," he says. We must hear these words often. We must take courage and give encouragement to others. Fear has a way of paralyzing us, but faith enables us to move forward. Just like Peter, when we stop keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we begin to sink.

How often does this happen in our own lives? We begin with confidence in God, but when we focus more on our problems than on His promises, anxiety overwhelms us. The Gospel teaches us that faith is not the absence of storms but the decision to keep our eyes on Christ in the midst of them. God's mercy is always quicker than our failures. Whenever we cry out sincerely, God is ready to lift us up. May this be our prayer today.

Questions for Personal Reflection

1. What storms am I facing in my life today?
2. Have I allowed fear to overshadow my trust in God?
3. What distractions are causing me to take my eyes off Christ?
4. How can I become a source of courage and hope for someone who is struggling?

Concluding Prayer

Lord Jesus, in the storms of my life, when fear overwhelms me, and uncertainty surrounds me, help me to hear your reassuring voice: "Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid." Teach me to keep my eyes fixed on you rather than on the waves of anxiety and doubt. When my faith falters, and I begin to sink, stretch out Your hand and lift me up. Grant me the courage to trust you completely, knowing that your presence is greater than every storm. May my life become a witness to your saving love, so that others too may recognize you as the Son of God. I make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ

E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net

Blog: Celebrate Faith

Video: YouTube

06 August 2026

Ever Embracing Power of God's Grace

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time: August 02, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 55:1–3; Psalm 145:8–9, 15–18; Romans 8:35, 37–39; Matthew 14:13–21

Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, Giovanni Lanfranco, 1620-1623
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/gyIP5Hrf3qI

One of the beautiful German expressions used in understanding life in context is "Sitz im Leben." Often this expression is used in the study of the Holy Scriptures, when we study the context in which the scriptural passages are written. Today everything must be read and understood through life in context. Even the Gaudium et Spes, the Vatican II document "Joy and Hope," called to read the signs of the times. When we do this, things become clearer. We do not jump into hasty conclusions or carry with us prejudices and stereotypes. Every situation or problem must be looked at from the viewpoint of Sitz im Leben. Often we make blunders because we do not read news in its entirety or its completeness. In this AI world, we are stuck with the plague of conciseness, shortness and summarization. In this context, we have beautiful reading from the Holy Bible on this 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus sees the context in which his countrymen live. He goes an extra mile, making them feel at home with a grand meal in an open-air setting, thus driving away all the fears of people and his own, as he had taken a step back in the wake of the death of his cousin and the prophet John the Baptist.   

1. Cautiousness in the wake of threats

The Gospel of St Matthew 14:13–21 presents to us love in action. Jesus had just learned of the death of John the Baptist. Seeking solitude to grieve, he withdrew to a deserted place. Yet the crowds followed Him. Instead of sending them away, Jesus was moved with compassion. He healed their sickness, listened to their needs, and when evening came, He fed them with five loaves and two fish.

St Ignatius of Loyola - A Saint with a Spirituality of Restlessness

St Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)

Every year on the 31st July, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola. Currently, 13,768 Jesuits are living and working in 105 countries of the world. Even though St Ignatius did not start any women's congregations, many follow the spirituality and charism set by St Ignatius. On this occasion, a few thoughts on this mystic saint!

1. St Ignatius: A man beyond his time

Perhaps one of the most charismatic figures who has contributed immensely to a spirituality of restlessness for God is St Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), the founder of the Society of Jesus. The members of this Order are called Jesuits. St Ignatius of Loyola was no monk or a mendicant at all. However, for him the whole world was a monastery. Even though he spent some time at the monastery of Montserrat, Spain, with the Benedictine monks, somehow or the other, he was not attracted towards the monastic life. He saw the world as a spiritual battlefield where he had to be an active pilgrim just like his Master Lord Jesus Christ. We do not find Ignatius a man who would be stuck inside the four walls of the monastery. In fact, it was a novel idea to start an Order (Congregation) completely different from the already existing ones like Benedictines, Carthusians, Dominicans, Franciscans and so forth. The time that he started his new journey of "Salvation of oneself and of others" was during the Reformation period, when the Catholic Church was in shambles with all its ills and fallacies. In this period, Ignatius came up with a novel idea of starting an Order dedicated to the name of "Jesus" and Jesus alone, while Martin Luther, already an Augustinian Catholic monk, had thought otherwise and moved away from the Catholic Church, where he had spent so many years of his monastic life. 

Called to be a Precious Treasure

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 26, 2026

Readings: 1 Kings 3:5, 7–12; Psalm 119:57, 72, 76–77, 127–130; Romans 8:28–30; Matthew 13:44–52

Parable of the Hidden Treasure
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/E7O_Eu1-br4

Often we are lost in small things. We do not get the bigger picture. Our thinking pattern, the way we behave and act, all demonstrate that we are lost in our small world. Opening our horizons to see the world much more on a larger scale is necessary to play a crucial role in this world. We cannot deny our role in making this world better and beautiful. Our country is going through a silent turmoil. Only a few deplorable things are becoming visible as mainstream media is controlled by those who are in power. Very few intellectuals and those who are supposed to voice out concerns of the people are keeping silent. Somehow or the other, silence has become part of life. Unless and until all of us realize our responsibility, we cannot make this world just, hospitable and free from fear. The liturgical readings on this Sunday invite us to the preciousness of our lives and call us to live accordingly.

1. Discovering the Priceless Treasure of God's Kingdom

In today's Gospel, Matthew 13:44–52, Jesus concludes His discourse on the Kingdom of Heaven with three powerful parables: the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, and the fishing net. Though brief, these stories challenge us to examine what we truly value and how we respond to God's invitation. 

Growing in the Likeness of God in the Midst of Evil

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 19, 2026

Readings: Wisdom 12:13, 16–19; Psalm 86:5–6, 9–10, 15–16; Romans 8:26–27; Matthew 13:24–43

Parable of theSower by Domenico Fetti
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/5nXBjyfe2LY

How dare someone do that? Why is there so much evil in this world? Why does wickedness never cease to exist? These are some typical questions we often ask when we are threatened or see evil occupying the good places. Often we see this daunting task of overcoming evil. However, evil does exist. Wicked people continue to do things which are not supposed to be done. There are no limits, age, status or position. In this context, we must read today's liturgical reading on the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time and draw inspiration for our lives.  

1. God Works Patiently in the Midst of Imperfection

In the Gospel of Matthew 13:24–43, Jesus tells the parable of the wheat and the weeds. The servants want to pull out the weeds immediately, but the master tells them to wait until the harvest. This teaches us that God is infinitely patient. We often want quick solutions to problems, instant justice, or immediate perfection in ourselves and others. Yet God allows time for growth, conversion, and transformation.

Deeply Rooted, Growing Mightily

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 12, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 55:10–11; Psalm 65:10–14; Romans 8:18–23; Matthew 13:1–23

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here:https://youtu.be/0e_JnzsTs4g

Patience, trust, confidence and hope determine the life of a farmer. A person who tills the soil knows what it is going to bring. Every effort has its fruits. There are no calculated risks here. It is said in most parts of India that farmers depend on the rains. A farmer's life depends not on choice but chance. It is not that everyone is gifted with everything. However, each one is blessed with great capacity to improve upon the gifts that one is bestowed with. As we celebrate the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the liturgical readings give us rich food for thought and reflection, so that we continue to grow in wisdom and knowledge even about the things of this world. 

1. God is ever generous

In today's Gospel, Matthew 13:1–23, Jesus uses a simple image from everyday life—a farmer sowing seeds—to reveal a profound truth about the Kingdom of God. The seed is the Word of God, generously scattered by the sower without discrimination. The difference lies not in the quality of the seed, but in the condition of the soil. This parable invites each of us to examine the "soil" of our own hearts. It is to cultivate loving relationships, integrity in our work, concern for the poor, forgiveness of enemies, and joyful witness to Christ. 

Our Burdens and God's Intervention at the Right Moment

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 05, 2026

Readings: Zechariah 9:9–10; Psalm 145:1–2, 8–11, 13–14; Romans 8:9, 11–13; Matthew 11:25–30

Christ blessing the children
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here:

Often our lives are burdened with things. Life here on earth is not easy. It may seem nice, beautiful, happy-go-lucky, yet there are times when we feel down and have questions which may not have immediate answers. Especially when the person is diagnosed with an incurable illness, when married life gets into trouble, when there is no peace in religious or priestly life, when someone does not find the right partner in one's life, when someone struggles to find an appropriate job, when, despite hard work and investment, nothing is clicking in one's business enterprise, we feel immensely miserable. The list is endless. Everyone is in trouble on this earth. Philosopher Thomas Hobbes said, "We are chained everywhere." However, when we place our trust in God completely and allow God to take control of us, our worries certainly go down. Sometimes, we must allow God to decide for us rather than we decide for ourselves based on our abilities and inclinations. It is not we who decided to come into this world. The liturgical readings on this 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time encourage us to put our burden on our God.

1. Our Success only when God intervenes in our lives

The readings of this Sunday invite us to discover the true source of peace, strength, and freedom. In a world that glorifies success, competition, and self-sufficiency, Jesus presents a radically different way—the way of humility, surrender, and life in the Spirit. Jesus begins with a prayer of thanksgiving in Matthew 11:25–30: "I thank you, Father... because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children."

Hospitality of the Lord: Making a Foreigner Feel at Home

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time: June 28, 2026

Readings: 2 Kgs 4:8–11, 14–16; Ps 89:2–3, 16–19; Rom 6:3–4, 8–11; Mt 10:37–42

ಇವನಾರವ ಇವನಾರವ ಇವನಾರವನೆಂದು ಎನಿಸದಿರಯ್ಯ. (ivanarava ivanarava ivanaravanendu enisadirayya.)

ಇವ ನಮ್ಮವ ಇವ ನಮ್ಮವ, ಇವ ನಮ್ಮವನೆಂದು ಎನಿಸಯ್ಯ. (iva nammava iva nammava, iva nammavanendu enisayya.)

ಕೂಡಲ ಸಂಗಮದೇವಾ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಯ ಮಗನೆಂದು ಎನಿಸಯ್ಯ. (kudala sangamadeva nimma maneya maganendu enisayya.)

[Don't make (me) think, "Whose is this man? Whose is this man? Whose is this man?"

Make (me) think, "This is our man. This is our man. This is our man."

Oh the Deity of kudala sangama, make (me) think that "I am a son of Your house."] 

These beautiful words written by Basavanna (1131–1196) in his Vachanas/sayings give the crux of what hospitality means. Don't ask who this man is instead accept him/her as your own brother or sister. As we meditate over the liturgical readings on this 13th Sunday in Ordinary time, the Word of God invites us to embrace everyone as our brothers and sisters, so that we may truly call ourselves as children of God. 

1. Embracing the Other with True Hospitality

The pretty emotional tone that we find in 2 Kgs 4:8–11, 14–16 where prophet Elisha is accepted as a member of the household not by a man but a woman who was barren. The kindness of the woman is such that she makes her husband to give the best of the hospitality to the prophet of God. She swiftly recognizes the holiness in Elisha moreover provides generously as one of the family members.

Preciousness in the Eyes of God

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time: June 21, 2026

Readings: Jeremiah 20:10–13; Psalm 69:8–10, 14, 17, 33–35; Romans 5:12–15; Matthew 10:26–33

Madonna of the Sparrow

Are we afraid of someone or something? Feeling insecure about something or someone is quite normal to our human nature. Due to our limitedness and mortality, we tend to feel uncomfortable with many things. Safety and security are very essential for a peaceful and creative existence. When we see there are threats around us, we feel uneasy and uncomfortable. Jesus was bold enough to say, "Fear no one." Fear begets fear. Jesus was clear about his priorities. Jesus did not mince his words. He called spade as spade. The liturgical readings on this Sunday encourage us to realize how precious we are and invite us to have the same courage of Jesus in our lives.

1. The Courage to Live in the Truth

In today's Gospel Matthew 10:26–33, Jesus speaks to His disciples as He prepares them for the challenges of mission. He knows that following Him will not always be easy. There will be opposition, misunderstandings, rejection, and even persecution. Yet His message is clear: "Do not be afraid." This phrase is repeated several times, reminding us that courage in discipleship comes not from our own strength but from trusting in God's loving care.