"Hand of God"
The God of Calmness:
The Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026
August 9, 2026
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1 Kings 19:11-13; Psalm 85; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33
Where do we look for God versus where do we find God? In the story about Elijah, we find the prophet in the cave expecting to see God pass by. It is not in the big, clamorous events. It was not in God speaking clearly and directly. It was not the appearance of a powerfully strong God who acts mightily. God appeared in the stillness that followed the silence. In the Gospel, we also see that the presence of God is one of stillness and silence. It is not in the swirling winds or thunder or lightning. God’s presence in the person of Jesus provides calm.
Why is this important? Many times, a person will speak with me because they are uncertain that God hears them. They have been good, obedient, and respectful to God, but God does not seem to be answering them. There are many possible directions for the person to go, and they want to be kind and dutiful. They say something like, “I wish God would simply tell me plainly and directly what I should do. I want to know God’s will. Why cannot God be clear with me?” Well, my friends, this is not how God works with most of us.
God voice can be heard clearly and distinctly, and it is often found in the quiet silence or the stillness. God may be very active in your consciousness, and perhaps you have to listen in a different manner. Jesus shows us that he offers calm and a steady hand in the midst of severely swirling storms, and he still says, “Come. I want you to be with me. Take my hand. You’ll find what you need with me.” In the storms of our lives, we can be beset by so many competing, discordant voices and we do not know to which voice we should listen, but we can train ourselves to detect the quiet movements of the voice of Jesus.
He often works through gentle invitations given by our friends or associates. It can be a quality of welcome, a tone of voice, an assurance offered by a stranger, but it is unmistakably from Jesus. He is the one who extends the hands of calmness and stillness. So, when we are confused or bombarded by thoughts or in distress, that is not the time to pray. It is the time to sit down and breathe. It is the time to get ourselves centered so we find ourselves at the edge of the cave like Elijah or like Peter clutching the hand of Jesus. We have to center ourselves with the breath before entering prayer. When we are distressed, anxious, or angry, we are not free. We cannot pray. When we settle ourselves and let the breath calm our unruly thoughts, then we touch our freedom and we can pray. We have to get into the practice of breathing daily when we are not in distress so we build a routine of centering ourselves.
We learn to see with our eyes and our other senses, and we begin to detect when and where the Risen Jesus is present to us. This voice becomes clear and distinct and trustworthy, and we can hear it no matter how ferocious those winds are. This voice is always calm, welcoming, and supportive. His voice guides us to make the right choices in confidence. If we breathe, and allow us to be seen by Jesus, we can do anything, and we can find that calmness. He says, “Experience and use your courage. Do not be afraid. I want you to know me. I want you to come. I offer you invitations. Come. I want your partnership and your friendship. I am your God.”
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