Futility

They pulled an "all-nighter" and it turned out to be absolutely useless.

So they called it quits and started putting everything away.

Then they were told to try one more time.

They tried again and hit the jackpot.

Not only was the effort an unexpected and overwhelming success, it was also – even more unexpectedly – a life-changing moment: a moment of encounter with Christ.

That is part of what happened in today’s Gospel (Lk.5:1-11). That can also happen to us.

As we go about our own lives, we should remember that
realism is important,
but despair is deadly
and faithfulness in Christ will be rewarded.