Homily: I worked all night and caught nothing

Last updated on: February 6, 2016 at 9:45 am by Father Pablo Migone

Homily: I worked all night and caught nothing 2016-02-05T15:24:31-05:00 Father Pablo Migone

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

How many times have you felt discouraged like Peter and said to the Lord in your own words: “Master, I have worked hard all night and have caught nothing?” How many times have you felt overwhelmed like Isaiah and said to the Lord in your own words: “Woe is me, I am doomed!”

Of the three men we encounter in today’s readings, only Saint Paul begins with an uplifting attitude. Isaiah and Peter both start off in the dumps and are uplifted by their encounter with God.

There was once a lady who bought a beautiful gardenia and placed it in her living room indoors. She watered it faithfully and put fertilizer in the soil. As weeks passed by she noted the plant had a problem: its buds would never bloom into the beautiful flowers the expected. Frustrated and discouraged, she put the gardenia outside in her back patio so she would no longer see it. It had become for her a symbol of failure.

As days went by, she ran into a series of problems with a personal illness, the death of a friend and relationship problems. She couldn’t get anything right no matter how hard she tried. After two weeks of continued frustration and discouragement, she decided to sit a while in her patio to read. When she went outside, to her great surprise, she found three beautiful white flowers in full bloom giving off an amazing fragrance. Though she had taken good care of the gardenia, the gardenia had been missing the most important element: sunlight. All her hard work and care had been in vain because without sunlight, the gardenia would have never bloomed. She reflected on her life: though she had been trying hard to take care of everything in her life, she had been missing the most important element: God.

Like this woman, Isaiah and Peter became discouraged due to their personal failures, weaknesses and vulnerabilities, but both were strengthened when they allowed the eternal light of God to enter into their lives. By opening their hearts to the presence of God, God manifested himself and came to their help. Isaiah allowed God to touch his lips, purging him from all wickedness and sending him as a prophet. Peter obeyed Jesus’ command, and his obedience led to a remarkable catch, so amazing that Peter was seized with fear.

Without Christ, Peter’s efforts were in vain. With Christ, Peter’s efforts produced great fruit. We too need Christ to bless and guide our daily efforts so they may bear great fruit.

When we feel frustrated and overwhelmed by the events of our lives: be it an illness, a strained relationship, a rebellious son or daughter, anxieties about the future, a problematic boss or business partner, financial distress, spiritual dryness etc, whatever troubles us most, we must remain steadfast and turn to the Lord. Saint Paul writes, “by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me.”

His grace is never ineffective, though we struggle and toil like Saint Paul, we know God’s help is always at hand. Jesus Christ never said life would be easy. Jesus Christ however promises to accompany us, to be with us every single moment.

No obstacle is too great and no problem unsolvable because all things are possible for God. When we get frustrated and overwhelmed, we must hang on tighter to Him, trusting that in his time, and in his way, Christ will show us the way.

Some do not turn to God in their distress, so they burn out and blame God for their misfortune. Others grow tired waiting; eventually giving up and becoming disappointed with God. Yet the only way we can be assured things will get better is if we continue to turn to Christ, trusting things will fall into place within his time and in his way.

When we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel, when everything seems dark and hopeless, we must hope and trust even more. Christ says to Isaiah: your wickedness is removed, your sin purged. Christ says to Peter: be not afraid. Christ says these same words to us today. We do not believe in vain, we take to heart the message of the Gospel of Christ so we know we are being saved and must not be afraid. Christ is here among us, truly present in the reading of Scriptures and on this altar. Allow him to strengthen you so your whole life may bear great fruit.

Previous Post

February 4, 2016

En ellos, Cristo es recibido: La hospitalidad cristiana

Next Post

February 6, 2016 Growth, New Church in the Bible Belt

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Article Catholic Lima Christmas Commentary History Homily Immigration martyrs Meditation Pope Reflection Saint Story Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 January 2010 June 2009 September 2008 August 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the first piece of the Armor of God mentioned in Ephesians 6?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The Belt of Truth The Sword of the Spirit The Shield of Faith The Helmet of Salvation