19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Homily (2026)
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a
Psalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:22-23
August 9, 2026
Elijah took shelter in a cave. Why? Did he expect to find God there?
If you read the passage leading up to this, you will find that Elijah was fleeing from Jezebel who sought his life. Elijah took shelter in the cave to hide from Jezebel rather than to seek God.
When we struggle, do we flee from the struggle or do we seek God?
Either way, God came to Elijah in the cave. First came a “strong and heavy wind” that crushed rocks. God was not in wind that day.
Then came an earthquake. Earthquakes can be powerful but God was not in the earthquake that day. Then came fire. God had appeared to Moses in the burning bush but God was not in the fire this time.
God came to Elijah in “a tiny whispering sound.” Hearing that sound and recognizing God, “Elijah hid his face.” Do we create quiet in our lives so that we might hear God or do we hide from God in a noisy world?
Do you want to encounter God?
The disciples of Jesus were in a boat when a storm came up. In the midst of the storm, Jesus came to them walking on the water. Did they rejoice at seeing Jesus?
No. They were terrified because they did not recognize Jesus. Jesus is always with us when we face storms. Unfortunately, we do not always recognize him.
Peter realized there was something great going on. Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on water! Encountering Jesus walking on water enabled Peter to do the same.
Peter had faith but he also had doubts. In his doubt, he began to sink.
When you face a new storm in life, what is your faith like? Are you ready to face the storm? Or do you have doubts? God gives us the faith to sustain us when we open ourselves to an encounter with him. Then, our faith can serve as a witness to others.
Are you truly open to encountering God?
Do you make quiet time in your life so that you may encounter God in a tiny whispering sound?
Do you encounter God in His kindness, justice, and truth or do you reject his justice and truth in favor of your own way?
Do you encounter God when His Word is proclaimed? Do you pay attention when God’s Word is read at Mass?
Is our celebration of the Eucharist an encounter with God for you? Do you recognize the presence of our Lord when you receive the Eucharist?
There are people who do not.
I think of the people who do not come to Mass. Some of they say they do not come to Mass because they do not feel like they do not get anything out of it. We need to help them understand what we do at Mass to help make Mass an encounter with God for them.
Who do you know who is Catholic but does not come to Mass?
Paul writes to the Romans of the sorrow and anguish he has in his heart for the Jews who have not come to know Jesus as he has.
Paul is willing to be cut off from Christ if it would mean others coming to know Jesus. Are you willing to help lead others to Jesus?
I hope you have been praying for those you know who have stopped going to church. We need to persevere but for how long? I think of St. Monica who prayed for years for the conversion of her son Augustine. In time, her prayers were answered.
St. Augustine had spent his lifetime seeking “something greater.” For many years he was looking in the wrong places. I think there are a lot of people “seeking more” but some of them do not even know it is God they seek.
We need to share the faith with them.
With this in mind, we are working on ways to evangelize. Pope St. Paul VI wrote of the Church, “she exists in order to evangelize” (Evangelii Nuntaindi, 14).
What does it mean to evangelize? To evangelize does not mean forcing our faith on anyone. To evangelize is to share peacefully what we have experienced in our faith while continuing to grow in our own faith.
I note that I said we are working on ways to evangelize. You are part of the “we.” We need your help.
First and foremost, we need you to pray. Keep praying for those who have fallen away. Please pray for those who have never been to church to open their hearts to what God offers them. I ask you to pray for our new ministry, that it may lead many to a deep and personal relationship with Jesus.
I ask you to pray that the Lord shows you how to share what your faith means to you. Where have you encountered God?
Please pray for God to bring forth volunteers, maybe even you, to help.
We are just beginning. In the coming weeks and months, we will have more to say. We will offer ideas on what you might say to people you know that have fallen away or to people who have never been to church.
On August 27th I will tell my story in hopes of helping you seek more in your faith. Then, in turn, you can share what your faith means to you with others.
For now, I again ask you to pray for our new efforts and I pray that you have the grace to live your live according to Jesus so others may see Jesus in you.