August 3, 2026
Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Mt 14:22-36

Today is Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time. The passage from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew presents us with the narrative of Jesus walking on the waters during the night.

In this narrative, we see a community of disciples sailing alone on the sea, battered by the waves. (Cf. Mt 14:24-27) This bears resemblance to the current situation of our Church. Today, our Church frequently encounters storms. Some assaults come from outside the Church—such as secularism, consumerism, hedonism, and extravagance—all of which batter the Church. Other assaults come from within the Church. For within our present-day Church, there are both good and evil people; there are those who are abandoned and helpless, as well as the sick; there are also people engaged in various professions, speaking different languages, of different skin colors, living environments, and educational backgrounds—who, by being in communion with the Successor of the Apostle Peter, form the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Within this Church, there are often schismatics. Recently, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith declared schismatics such as the movement initiated by Monsignor Marcel Lefebvre—the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X and its members (cf. Decree of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith concerning the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, Prot. N.99/2009). The main reason they chose not to obey the Successor of the Apostle Peter and were unwilling to be in communion with him, I think, is that they are unwilling to submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, preferring to be self-centered, and are even more reluctant to accept the Ecumenical Councils convened by the Catholic Church under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, together with their resolutions and all decrees. As a result, those Christians who live according to their teachings are, because of all they have done, led into a state of eternal perdition. Likewise, it cannot be denied that within the Church of God there are many who remain faithful to the Word of God. By their concrete actions, they obey the Successor of the Apostle Peter, follow the instructions of the Savior, and are in communion with the Successor of the Apostle Peter according to the will of the Holy Spirit, and likewise in communion with those bishops who are in communion with the Successor of the Apostle Peter, thus setting an example for all the People of God.

What impresses me deeply is the dialogue between Peter and Jesus. At that time, Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” (Cf. Mt 14:28) Acting on his own ideas, he attempted to verify whether the figure amidst the raging waves was indeed the Jesus he knew. Jesus’ answer—”Come” (Cf. Mt 14:29)—reveals His certainty; He is always ready to sustain us. Only when we truly welcome Him and choose to walk with Him can we find peace and joy.

Another aspect that strikes me is when Peter, due to his hesitation, encountered a strong headwind and immediately began to sink. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Cf. Mt 14:30) This also reflects our own reaction when we encounter setbacks or uncertainties. For in such moments, we too shrink back and even complain about God’s injustice toward us. Here, I wish to say to those brothers and sisters in the Lord who complain about God’s unfairness: God wills that we endure these trials in order to strengthen our faith, foster in us a longing for Him, and thereby give rise to charity. As the Apostle Saint Paul teaches: suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Cf. Rom 5:2-5) Only in this way can we truly experience His presence.

Draw near to your servants, O Lord,
and answer their prayers with unceasing kindness,
that, for those who glory in you as their Creator and guide,
you may restore what you have created
and keep safe what you have restored.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit
God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica