NEVER GIVE UP

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C Luke 5:1-11 Most of the disciples of Jesus were fishermen. Of course, fishing is their way of life. When Jesus called them to be fishers of men, they stop fishing and followed Jesus for three years. But when Jesus died, they were frustrated and they went to their old ways of living:they went back fishing again. The problem was, they caught nothing. “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing.” Maybe they are trying so hard, giving their best, tried every possible means but end up nothing! For Peter it was a fruitless night. The effort does not corresponds to the effects. Friends, we may be like these disciples. Perhaps there are moments in our life that we tried everything but nothing happened. We give our best but seems our best are not enough. We try but we failed. We felt frustrated, disappointed, discouraged and seemingly wanted to give up. Maybe some of us here are undergoing difficult and hard time in our spiritual life, frustrations with our financial life, emotional imbalance or perhaps troubled marriage. Today the gospel is telling us: “Don’t give up, try something new.” Cast and lower your net again and you will find something. Three points I would like to share with you guys. First, when you are disappointed, discouraged and frustrated, never give up. Raised your hands to the Lord and let Him take over. Surrender your problems to Jesus. Don’t give up because great things take time. Remember, life has two rules. Rule number one, never give up. Rule number two, always go back to rule number one. If your plan A didn't work, stay cool for the alphabet has 25 more letters. Second, when you are frustrated, do not try to be tempted to go back to your old ways.(fishing to fishing). Try something new! The Lord wants us to grow. Start something new and fresh because life is great and amazing amidst of failures. Try to be better version of yourself everyday. Take this in mind: success is a journey not a destination. Try something new for old ways won’t open new doors. Friends, when you are tired passing through the doors, tried to get in the window because some windows are wider than doors. Finally, when we allow Jesus to come into our lives; amidst of our imperfections and unworthiness, we will no longer be dragging the burden of problems but we will enjoy the overflowing blessings of God. Amidst of our sins, we have a God who is ready to turn our frustration to celebration. God will always transform our burden into blessings. He will change our sorrow to joy. He will turn our cross to a crown Our trials will be changed into triumphs. If Jesus is all we have, we have all what we need. In our nothingness God will be our everything. Friends, never get frustrated by our emptiness. “Do not be afraid. You will catch people from now on.” Duc in altum! Here I am Lord send me. Blessings Fr. Jhack