Today, we encounter a God who often speaks in ways we least expect. Elijah goes searching for the Lord on the mountain, but God is not found in the powerful wind, the earthquake, or the fire. Instead, the Lord comes in the tiny whispering sound, the gentle stillness that requires a listening heart. In our busy and noisy world, we can easily mistake activity for holiness and volume for truth. Yet the Lord continues to invite us into moments of quiet prayer where He can calm our hearts and remind us that He is always near. We don’t have to climb a mountain to encounter God, but we do need to make room for silence amid the distractions that constantly compete for our attention.
The Gospel continues this invitation to trust. As the disciples struggle against the wind and waves, Jesus comes to them across the water, urging them not to be afraid. Peter’s bold step out of the boat is a beautiful reminder that faith often requires us to leave the comfort of what is familiar. Like Peter, we all experience moments when fear begins to outweigh trust, and we start to sink beneath the weight of life’s challenges. Yet the Lord never stands at a distance. He immediately reaches out His hand, lifts us up, and invites us to fix our eyes on Him once again. Whether we are facing uncertainty in our families, our health, our work, or our parish, Christ remains present. If we keep our gaze on Him, we will discover that His grace is always greater than the storms we face.
Many of you have asked for Andrew Bilgri’s address. It is Mundelein Seminary 1000 E. Maple Ave. Mundelein, IL 60060. He would love to get mail and hear from you all! It is one of the most exciting moments of the day to check the seminary mailboxes and find mail! It is one of the greatest encouragements. Pray for Andrew and all of our seminarians.
Father Arisman