“The Gospel speaks beautifully to all of us who serve in the Church—priests, religious, catechists, lectors, choir members, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, BEC leaders, youth ministers, parish workers, volunteers, and everyone who gives time and talent to the Lord.
Peter tells Jesus: “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing.”
Anyone who serves knows that feeling. Sometimes we work hard, but we see little result. We prepare activities, but few attend. We teach, but people seem not to listen. We invite people to church, but they do not come. Parents try to pass on the faith, but some children drift away.
And we begin to ask: Lord, is what I am doing making any difference?
Today Jesus gives us three simple reminders.
“Put out into deep water”
The shore is comfortable. The deep is uncertain. Sometimes ministry becomes too comfortable. We serve mainly those who are already inside the Church. But Jesus sends us farther—to those who have stopped coming to Mass, young people who feel disconnected, struggling families, the poor, the lonely, the wounded, and those searching for meaning.
We cannot always wait for people to come to us. Sometimes we have to leave the shore and go where the people are.
Lower the nets again
Peter was tired. He had already tried. Yet he tells Jesus: “At your command I will lower the nets.”
That is the spirituality of ministry. There will be moments when we become tired and discouraged. But ministry is not only about visible success. It is about faithfulness. Our work is to lower the nets. Our work is to plant and water. God gives the growth.
So when you are discouraged, lower the nets again. When people disappoint you, love again. When your efforts seem unnoticed, serve again. When your prayers seem unanswered, pray again. Do not give up simply because the nets are empty today. God may already be preparing tomorrow’s catch.
Remember that ministry is about people
Jesus tells Peter: “From now on you will be catching people.”
We can become very busy in the Church—with meetings, programs, schedules, collections, buildings and activities. All these have their place. But behind every program there must be a person we are trying to bring closer to Christ.
Sometimes the greatest thing you accomplish in your ministry is not a successful event. It may simply be one person whom you listened to, encouraged, welcomed, or helped.
Because that One Child is here
There is a story about an old catechist who served in a small parish for many years.
Every Sunday, she would walk quite a distance to teach children the faith. Sometimes five children came. Sometimes three. And occasionally, only one.
One rainy Sunday, only one little boy arrived.
Someone asked her, “Why do you still teach? There is only one child.”
The old catechist smiled and said: “Because that one child is here.”
Years passed. The catechist grew old and could no longer teach.
One day, a priest came to visit her. He held her hand and asked: “Do you remember the little boy who sometimes came alone to your catechism class?”
She smiled. And the priest said: “That little boy was me.”
Final Words
My dear brothers and sisters, sometimes one person is enough reason to continue. One child. One family. One sick person. One troubled young person. One soul searching for God.
You may never see the full fruits of your ministry. But God sees every seed you plant.
So never say, “I am only a volunteer.” Never say, “I am only a catechist.” Never say, “What I do is too small to matter.” There is no small ministry when it is done with great love.
When the nets seem empty, lower them again. When you are tired, trust again. When Jesus calls you deeper, go deeper. Because we lower the nets—but God fills them.”