Daily Gospel Reflection
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August 3, 2026
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side of the sea,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them, walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”
After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret.
When the men of that place recognized him,
they sent word to all the surrounding country.
People brought to him all those who were sick
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak,
and as many as touched it were healed.
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The full readings of the day from the Lectionary are available here.
Storms have always terrified me. As a child, I recall when a summer thunderstorm popped up, my father and siblings made a dash for our detached garage, set up the lawn chairs, and watched the rain pouring down as if it were entertainment, bringing welcome cool relief. I wanted to be there, but was too afraid to brave the lightning and thunder, so I stayed inside the stuffy house with my mother. Occasionally, Dad ran back through the heavy raindrops and carried me out to join the others.
Many years later, my fear of storms has not abated. The worst-case scenarios find their way into my head. What if the house is struck by lightning? What if a tornado carries off the roof? What if the basement floods?
Even as I acknowledge my fears, I am frustrated with myself for succumbing to them because I realize my anxiety is about earthly things. I profess my trust in God, but like Peter, I find it easy when the waters are smooth. Where is that trust when the thunder rattles the windows and lightning takes out the power? Whether it is a thunderstorm, broken appliance, car problem, dip in the market, or bat in the attic, just as in that split second Peter allowed his eyes to divert from Christ’s, my faith is shaken as well.
Trusting all matters of my life to God is something I must remind myself to do almost constantly. It seems like a perpetual tug of war. Self-reliance and perseverance were ingrained in me growing up. I am somewhat placated by the counsel of a former pastor who advised, “Work as if all things depend on you, and pray as if all things depend on God.”
Lord, help me to remember it is keeping my eyes on you that calms the storms in my soul!
Prayer
Lord, we have all experienced sinking, have called out to the Savior for forgiveness, for courage, for helping grace. Let my heart trust in you always, and I shall thank you all my life.
Saint of the Day
Gamaliel was a renowned rabbi in Jerusalem who taught the apostle Paul. He is honored in the Christian tradition for his defense of the early apostles.
The Jewish authorities prohibited Peter and the other apostles from preaching about Jesus, and when they continued, they were arrested and tried. Gamaliel was a man of great respect and was considered a leading teacher of his time. He defended the apostles (Acts 5:34-39), arguing that they should not be executed. “If their work is their own, it will come to nothing,” he said. “If it is of God, you cannot overthrow it, unless you are found to even fight against God.”
Some believe that Gamaliel was baptized by Sts. Peter and John, along with his son, Abibo (who later became a saint). He is honored on August 3 because in the fifth century, his relics were miraculously discovered on this date and transferred to the cathedral in Pisa, Italy. In Jewish tradition, Gamaliel remained a Pharisee until he died.
This stained glass window in the Basilica’s reliquary chapel depicts the discovery of his remains. It is an appropriate scene to watch over the more than 1,600 relics there, including remains from all twelve apostles, because Gamaliel protected the Church’s first saints. (His name on the tomb in the window appears in the foreign spelling as “Cheliel”.)
Gamaliel, defender of the apostles, pray for us!