Today's Sermon in a Nutshell:

Peter and his friends had fished all night, but caught nothing. Then this carpenter comes along and entices them to try again, saying "Put out your nets on the other side."

Peter, always the first to react said, "Master, we have toiled all night and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." And when he did he had such a haul of fishes that everyone was utterly astonished and perplexed.

On the first attempt, their labors yielded nothing. On the second try, they caught more fish than they had ever caught before. It was the same lake, the same boat, the same nets, and the same people fishing. So what made the difference? That's easy: Christ was now in the boat with them.

These fishermen were unable to catch anything, although they had used all of their skills, abilities and time, until Jesus got in their boat. The Lord was seemingly teaching a lesson that we all need to learn; there is failure without Him; but with Him, all things are possible!

This is why it's so important to allow and maintain Christ's presence in your life – so we're not going through this life alone. With our Lord in your boat He can calm whatever storms comes our way, safely navigate us through the most tempestuous of waters, and allow us to catch and haul in His manifold gifts and blessings for our salvation.

Fr. John