09/08/2026
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
JESUS IS CLOSER THAN WE THINK
How do we recognize that God is with us? Kapag maayos ang buhay? Kapag nasasagot ang ating prayers? If everything goes according to plan? But what about when life becomes difficult? Kapag may problema sa pamilya, karamdaman, financial struggles, unanswered prayers, o pagod na pagod na tayo?
Minsan sinasabi natin, โLord, hindi ko na maramdaman ang presensya Mo.โ But perhaps God is not absent. Perhaps we simply fail to recognize how He comes to us.
In the Gospel, the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water but did not recognize Him. They were afraid because Jesus came in a way they did not expect.
Ganito rin tayo minsan. We expect God to remove our problems immediately. But often, He comes quietly through a friend who checks on us, someone who listens, a simple word that gives courage, or an ordinary moment that restores our hope.
Minsan, hindi lumalayo ang Diyos. Tayo ang masyadong abala para mapansin na malapit na pala Siya.
Peter stepped out of the boat because he trusted Jesus. But when he focused on the wind and the waves instead of Christ, he began to sink.
Perhaps this is our reminder: What we constantly focus on becomes bigger in our lives. When we focus only on our problems, fear grows. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, courage grows.
And when Peter cried, โLord, save me!โ Jesus immediately reached out His hand. Hindi Siya nanumbat. Hindi Siya nanghusga. He simply reached out. That is our God.
At nang sumakay si Jesus sa bangka, tumigil ang hangin. The storm became calm not simply because the problem disappeared, but because Jesus was in the boat. Sometimes God does not immediately remove the storm. Instead, He gives us His presence in the middle of it.
So today, ask yourself: Is Jesus in the boat of my life? When I am afraid, do I still listen for His voice? When I am sinking, do I still call His name?
Do not always wait for a miracle to recognize God. Sometimes, He is already there- in the person who stays, the friend who listens, the family who cares, and the ordinary moments that give us strength.
โTake courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.โ
Hindi man natin nakikita ang buong daan, kasama natin Siya. Hindi man agad mawala ang bagyo, naroon Siya sa ating bangka.
And when we begin to sink, we can always pray:
โLord, save me.โ
Because Jesus is closer than we think.
Amen.