In this Sunday’s gospel, Saint Peter cries out for the Lord to save him when he begins to sink below the waves while walking on the water. To save the nation from imminent default, the U.S. Congress and the White House cobbled together an 11th-hour deal to raise the debt limit. But will it really resolve the deficit dilemma or only kick the problem down the road a few months? . . .

This Sunday’s first reading is replete with images that at one time or another have been used to represent the sacred: Horeb, “the mountain of God,” as well as a powerful wind, an earthquake, a fire—and, finally, the “tiny whispering sound” of God passing by Elijah. As the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks approaches, controversy is brewing over the inclusion of religious symbols in the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, especially one dubbed “the World Trade Center cross” . . .

At a time when, like the disciples’ boat in this Sunday’s gospel, the Catholic Church in the U.S. finds itself storm-tossed by the cumulative effect of church closings, a clergy shortage, and the sex abuse crisis, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the papal nuncio to the U.S. since 2005 who died July 27 at the age of 73, had offered a sympathetic and hopeful presence . . .

The psalmist’s prayer this Sunday serves as a suitable plea for anyone facing their own death of that of a loved one: “Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.” Also facing people at such a time are decisions concerning the final disposition of the body. The Benedictines of St. Joseph Abbey in Louisiana want to offer their handcrafted caskets . . .

“I'm so happy . . . . The next president knows what could happen to him if he goes against his people.”

In response to a recent Public Policy Polling survey that asked a mix of liberal, moderate, and conservative voters the question, “If God exists, do you approve or disapprove if its [sic] performance,” only 52 percent gave the Almighty an overall positive job evaluation. God did a little better on handling of the animal kingdom, a little worse on natural disasters, much better on creating the universe, and well above House Speaker John Boehner and both Democrats and Republicans in Congress.