Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time — Daily Word · In loving memory of Benjamin Vo

Greeting

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Welcome, dear brothers and sisters, as we gather on this Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time to seek the peace and presence of our Lord.

Penitential Act

Lord Jesus, you come to us across the stormy waters: Lord, have mercy. Christ Jesus, you speak to our hearts in the tiny whispering sound: Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you stretch out your hand to save us when we sink: Lord, have mercy.

♪ “Penitential Act (Organ)” — A song for Ben

Liturgy of the Word

Reading 1 · 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a

At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the LORD said to him, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD— but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake— but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire— but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Responsorial Psalm · Psalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14

♪ “Lord, show us your mercy and love” — Br Michael Herry fms — Marist Music

Reading 2 · Romans 9:1-5

Brothers and sisters: I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Gospel · Matthew 14:22-33

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, 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 Peter, 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.”

Alleluia

♪ International Liturgy Publications (ilpmusic.org)

Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Homily

Where do we look for God when the storms of life surround us?

In our First Reading, Elijah stands at the mouth of a cave on the mountain of God, expecting the Lord in the crashing wind, the earthquake, or the fire. But God was not in the noise… He was present in a tiny whispering sound. And in today’s Gospel, when the waves tossed the disciples' boat in the dark, Jesus walked toward them on the water, whispering words that still calm every human heart: *“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”*

How often do we feel like Peter? We want to walk toward Jesus with courage, but then we notice how fierce the wind is. We begin to sink under the weight of our grief. And in that precise moment, when our own human strength gives out, we cry: *“Lord, save me!”*

And what does Jesus do? He does not hesitate or turn away. Scripture tells us that *immediately* Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter.

It has been eight weeks since Benjamin Vo was called into eternal life. Eight weeks where the waves of missing him can feel heavy and relentless.

Yet Benjamin was a boy who carried a calm clarity in his soul. Think of his extraordinary mind—how effortlessly he approached complex mathematics and logic, looking at a difficult problem not with frustration, but with a quiet, bright confidence and a sweet, radiant smile. He possessed a gentle assurance that even in the trickiest puzzle, light and order were waiting to be found.

In the quiet of this day, Christ reaches out his hand to us, just as he caught Peter above the deep waters.

To Alan, Thao, and dear Ryan: Jesus holds your hands right now in the midst of the storm. Lean into his gentle strength, continue to hold each other tight, and let Ben’s sweet spirit keep bringing light to your days.

To Ben’s aunts and uncles, everyone praying with us from afar, and every family carrying a heavy cross: do not be afraid. Listen for the Lord’s gentle whisper of peace.

Benjamin Vo rests safely in the Savior’s strong embrace… held forever in everlasting love.

Meditation

♪ “The Solid Ground (Choral)” — A song for Ben

Universal Prayer

For the intentions entrusted to Ben on our prayer wall:

“Hey Ben - sitting on the plane thinking of you. Life is so short. I still can’t believe that you’re no longer here with us. Thanks for being my Son on this earth for 15 years. I hope to reunite with you forever in Heaven someday. In the meantime please ‘watch over’ your parents like you promised me in my dreams. I love you so much Ben.” — Dad