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Aug 4, 2026

Matthew 14: 22-36

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Aug 4, 2026

Focus on Jesus

Jesus comes to his disciples when they are in trouble. Peter walks safely above the waves when he is focused on Jesus but sinks when he is distracted. Jesus is there to pull him up; he would not have called for Peter to come if he would have let him drown.

Focus on Jesus is the key. We come to know ourselves best not by our own introspection but by focusing on Jesus. We grow not by our own efforts but by focus on Jesus. We gain fortitude in our challenges, not by ourselves, but by focusing on Jesus. We gain inner peace best, not by coming to terms by ourselves, but by focusing on Jesus.

How might you bring your current life to Jesus?

David J. M. Herr, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic teaching philosophy at Xavier University in Cincinnati. 

Aug 4, 2026

Prayer

Jesus,
Help us to stride forward focused only on you,
So that when we collapse, we might fall on your humanity,
So that when you rise, we too will rise.
Amen

David J. M. Herr, SJ

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Ignatian spirituality reminds us that God pursues us in the routines of our home and work life, and in the hopes and fears of life's challenges. The founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, created the Spiritual Exercises to deepen our relationship with Christ and to move our contemplation into service. May this prayer site anchor your day and strengthen your resolve to remember what truly matters.





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