August 9, 2026
Revised Common Lectionary
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 or 1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b or Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
Lectionary for Mass (RC)
1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a
Psalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:22-33
You’ve probably heard the story about the mountain climber whose rope gave way but who was fortunate to grab onto a branch as he began to fall. The climber decided to pray: “God, if you’re there, please help me.” He then heard a voice saying, “I’m here. Do you trust me?” “Oh, yes, God, I trust you,” the climber responded. “I can save you. Just let go of the branch,” said the voice. The climber paused for a moment, then called out, “Is there anybody else up there?”
The Lectionary today presents the story of a prophet who, much like the mountain climber, was in trouble. In the First Book of Kings, Elijah—revered by later generations as the greatest of all prophets—is on the run. He has successfully defeated the prophets of the idol Baal and in so doing has run afoul of the Baal-promoting Queen Jezebel. She has threatened to pursue and kill Elijah in retaliation for the deaths of those prophets.
Although he has prevailed in his challenge to the prophets of Baal, the threats to his life have left him downhearted and discouraged. He has lost not only the will to continue his mission, but even the will to continue living. God has sent an angel to provide him with nourishment and to convey the command that he should continue his journey to Mount Horeb (Sinai)—the same mountain on which Moses had met God—and significantly, where God made a solemn covenant with the people of Israel.
When God asks, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” we can almost hear the desperation in the prophet’s reply, which could be summed up as follows: After all I’ve done for you, I’m the only faithful one left—and they want to kill me! The boldness that had characterized Elijah’s preaching and actions seems to have evaporated.
In response, Elijah is instructed to wait at the entrance of the cave where God will come to meet him. To his surprise, God is not in the wind or the earthquake or the fire, but in “a sound of sheer silence” (1 Kgs 19:12). Even though the divine presence has been made known, Elijah, like the mountain climber, isn’t quite prepared for the kind of help that God has in mind.
And so, God asks a second time, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Even though he has experienced the presence of God in a new and powerful way, the prophet seems unmoved and once again pours out his complaint in full: “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts, for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away” (1 Kgs 19:14).
God’s response offers Elijah both challenge and reassurance. The Holy One doesn’t let the prophet off the hook but sends him out to continue the mission of calling Israel away from worship of idols and back to the covenant established at Horeb. Elijah is to anoint others to take on that mission, including the prophet Elisha. And despite the prophet’s protests of being the only one remaining, God reassures him that he is not the only one left, that there are thousands of others in Israel who remained faithful to the covenant.
In today’s Gospel reading, Peter is also given an experience of divine presence. He receives reassurance as he is invited to come to Jesus on the water. Then as his faith falters and he begins to sink, Jesus takes him by the hand to save him. Later in the Gospel of Matthew, this same Peter will be commissioned in a dramatic way to take a major role in continuing the mission of Jesus. In response to an astonishing confession of faith by Peter, Jesus will declare him to be the rock on which the church is to be built.
The readings we hear today remind us that God’s presence is revealed to us in sometimes surprising ways. If we’re paying attention, we can hear the voice of God in often unexpected places, from the sound of silence to the turmoil of life’s storms.
God offers us the reassurance that we are not alone but also sends us out to take our part in the sometimes-difficult task of carrying out the mission of Christ. We are given glimpses of God’s presence not only for our own sake but also for the work of loving others, serving those in need, witnessing to justice, and bringing the compassion of Christ to those we encounter in our daily lives.
A Hymn for Today: “God of the sparrow”
Jaroslav Vajda, FHS, an American Lutheran of Slovak descent, was one of the preeminent English-language hymnwriters of the twentieth century. In “God of the sparrow,” Vajda bids the singer recognize the presence of God in the many creatures and experiences of the world around us and then to respond with an open heart. Originally written as a poem, Vajda’s text shuns the use of punctuation, creating a sense of openness both in the experience of God and in our response. The text was set to music by the prolific Lutheran composer Carl Schalk, FHS. Listen here for a recording of this hymn being sung by the congregation and choir of First-Plymouth Church, Lincoln, Nebraska.
God of the sparrow
God of the whale
God of the swirling stars
How does the creature say Awe
How does the creature say Praise
God of the earthquake
God of the storm
God of the trumpet blast
How does the creature say Woe
How does the creature say Save
God of the rainbow
God of the cross
God of the empty grave
How does the creature say Grace
How does the creature say Thanks
God of the hungry
God of the sick
God of the prodigal
How does the creature say Care
How does the creature say Life
God of the neighbor
God of the foe
God of the pruning hook
How does the creature say Love
How does the creature say Peace
God of the ages
God near at hand
God of the loving heart
How do your children say Joy
How do your children say Home
Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1919-2008. © 1983, Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission under OneLicense #A-729857
Tune: ROEDER, Carl F. Schalk, 1929-2021
Image Credit: Mundoo, Creative Commons
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