The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

August 9, 2026 – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time  - Matthew 14:22-33

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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Surviving rough white water rafting was not something I had much experience with until a few days ago. Our eldest daughter was visiting and she was investigating local places in the mountains and waters of northwest Montana where we live. It was decided to try white water rafting on a challenging river bordering Glacier National Park. I told her that was a good choice.

Then she asked if I’d be interested in going, too.  I had previously done this many years before when we lived in Colorado. But that was about forty years back. My body had changed over those years. But being one not wanting to appear old (although I am) and fearful (which I try not to be), I said “why not?”

And I was okay in the big blue raft until we reached the first set of rapids in the inflated raft we shared with six others. We approached the first set of rapids and were ordered by our guide to paddle ahead with all our might. Suddenly we plunged downward into a depression in the water and just as suddenly we shot upward. We were also fully soaked as we bounced through additional downs and ups. I think I might have stopped breathing while wondering if we would survive this adventure. We did.

And with this very fresh memory of surviving tempestuous waters, I read about Peter and his willingness to step into the raging waters of Lake Galilee at the invitation of Jesus who at the time was calmly walking on the water’s surface. Perhaps Peter and I were both a bit overconfident before our personal encounter with the wild waters. Until reality set in.

But isn’t that what life often is? We imagine and hope for a life without difficulties or strain. We want to breeze through our days while in school or at a job or in marriage or parenting or life in general. But that’s not what happens. We may begin in smooth waters but eventually come some rapids. We face rough times. We might need to ask for help. Even from God. Often our daily life, our life’s journey and our commitments are tested by “rough waters” and we must rely on a strength that we were unaware of in ourselves and others.

This reality leads us to sometimes imagine that the best life is one that is the easiest. We hope for times without worry, anxiety or uncertainty. But God’s way includes challenges that might be surprises and require effort that we had not anticipated. I once recall a message saying pray that you will not have an easy life. I’m still trying to accept that one.

David M. Thomas, PhD