Daily Gospel Reflection
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January 7, 2026
After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied,
Jesus made his disciples get into the boat
and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida,
while he dismissed the crowd.
And when he had taken leave of them,
he went off to the mountain to pray.
When it was evening,
the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore.
Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing,
for the wind was against them.
About the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
He meant to pass by them.
But when they saw him walking on the sea,
they thought it was a ghost and cried out.
They had all seen him and were terrified.
But at once he spoke with them,
“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”
He got into the boat with them and the wind died down.
They were completely astounded.
They had not understood the incident of the loaves.
On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.
Jesus gives his disciples a clear command to follow in the midst of a raging storm. He does not instruct them to adjust their sails, pull in their oars, or carry out some technical maneuver. Instead, he invites them to trust. It is such a simple direction and one God gives us repeatedly, yet why can it be so difficult to follow?
Perhaps some of the challenge lies in our inability to recognize God at work. Like the disciples who first thought that Jesus was a ghost, we can sometimes mistake God for a distraction or fearful obstacle when we are determined to solve a problem on our own. It is often in these moments that God draws especially close, taking hold of the storms we face and reassuring us to have courage.
I was caught in a great storm during the beginning of my first year as an ACE Teaching Fellow. I had moved from Massachusetts to south Texas to live in a new community and teach at a new school. Similar to Jesus’ disciples, at first I was afraid—which turned into anxiety and doubt—when I struggled to see God in my new environment.
After some time, I discovered that God’s call to take courage had been present in ways I had previously been blind to: a mentor teacher’s advice, dinner with community members, or a friendly neighbor’s helping hand. Once I began to notice these signs of grace, my fears subsided, and I could more fully receive the blessings of this opportunity.
Just as Jesus called out to his disciples in the boat, he reaches out to us with his merciful hand, reminding us of his love, goodness, and power. May we have the faith to open our hearts and receive this love, allowing his grace to quiet the storms within us.
Prayer
God of all strength and consolation, you always hear those who cry out to you in their need. Though the world’s evils are many, never let your faithful people be overcome. Heal us with the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation. Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. Grant this through Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Raymond of Penafort is patron saint of lawyers. He led and expanded the Dominican order just after the death of its founder, but made his mark on the world through his relentless teaching and preaching.
Raymond was born 1175 in Spain of royal lineage, and was a brilliant student—he began teaching philosophy at 20 years of age. He taught pro bono, and earned a good reputation as a teacher. At age 30 he went on to earn his doctorate in civil and canon law. He was ordained a deacon and assisted the bishop of Barcelona, and was a great model to clergy with his zeal, prayerfulness, and concern for the poor.
He was nearly 50 years old when he gave up a position of great status to join the Dominican order in Barcelona—St. Dominic himself had just died eight months prior. Most of the other novices were much younger than he, but Raymond led them in obedience and humility.
The Dominicans used his learning well—he was tasked with writing a guide to help moral theologians and priests hearing confessions, the first of its kind. Raymond’s real passion was caring for people’s souls, however. He preached, taught, and heard confessions constantly, and showed people how to conquer sin in themselves. In a time of political turmoil, he effected a grassroots change in Spain with his pastoral care and catechesis.
In 1230, the pope called Raymond to Rome to help with various administrative duties. He also asked Raymond to serve as his confessor. One of Raymond’s tasks was to gather all of the scattered writings and decrees of the Church. His compilation was so well organized that it was frequently cited, even until 1917, when canon law was revised.
The pope named Raymond archbishop of a capital in Spain, but he was consumed with anxiety and fell ill, and so was excused. Raymond traveled back home to recover his health. As he got stronger, he resumed preaching and hearing confessions.
In 1238, he was elected superior of the Dominican order, and went about organizing and codifying the regulations of the community, which served the Dominicans for generations after. Under his direction, Dominican life honed its focus on solitude, studies, and pastoral ministry. In all of this, he remained humble and prayerful—he would even make his rounds visiting Dominican communities throughout Spain traveling by foot.
After two years, he resigned from this post and began to engage and counter Islamic forces in Spain. He encouraged St. Thomas Aquinas to produce arguments for the faith for unbelievers, and encouraged the study of Arabic and Hebrew in Dominican schools.
When he fell ill in his 100th year, two kings visited him to receive a final blessing, and several royal families attended the funeral. His tomb became known for miracles, and his relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
The engraving of books and a gavel and cross above stand as symbols of St. Raymond of Penafort on the exterior of the Eck Hall of Law. He is patron saint of lawyers and those who work with medical records.
St. Raymond of Penafort, you changed the world with your learning and the Church with your holiness—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Raymond of Penafort is in the public domain. Last accessed November 14, 2024 on Wikimedia Commons.
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