Most of us get discouraged from time to time, often for reasons such as Simon Peter gave. We have labored all the night long; we have done our best. But our toil has been in vain; we have taken nothing. So we say, or we are tempted to say: “There is no use going on. I don’t get anywhere. It would be more sensible, and it certainly would be more pleasant to stop trying.” To someone weary after long, arduous efforts, our Lord’s words come as an inspiration. They move us to try again, to make St. Peter’s reply our own. When the Lord says: “Keep going,” we must answer Him saying, “I will.” Let us try then, not seven times but 70 times seven times. Eventually we shall accomplish the hitherto impossible task. We shall soften the heart of that implacable enemy; we shall conquer these restless passions, these deep-seated habits, this unruly tongue. Who can predict that because we failed yesterday we shall fail today? “Let down the nets.” We let them down, and immediately new, consoling reflections come. We see that God has been testing our trust, trying our perseverance. We ask ourselves: Shall I gain anything by quitting? Shall I be happier if I stop trying? The answer is NO! Although we have failed 99 times, our 100^th effort may succeed; and although in a moment of depression it is hard for us to remain calm and reasonable, down in the depths of our souls, we know that time is an indispensable element in the maturing of plans, as in the maturing of life. Even if we do not find what we seek, we may discover something far better. So be it, then, we shall try again; and please God, we shall die trying.

The holy Prophet Malachi prophesied that before the Messiah’s birth His Forerunner would appear, and would indicate His coming. The Jews therefore in awaiting the Messiah also awaited the appearance of His Forerunner.

In a city of the hills of Judea in the land of Palestine lived the righteous priest St. Zachariah and his wife St. Elizabeth, zealously observing the commandments of the Lord. The couple, however, had a misfortune: they remained childless in their old age, and they prayed unceasingly to God to grant them a child.

Once, when St. Zachariah took his turn as priest at the Temple of Jerusalem, he went into the Sanctuary to offer incense. Going behind the veil of the Sanctuary, he beheld an angel of God standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

St. Zachariah was astonished and halted in fear, but the angel said to him, “Fear not, Zachariah, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.” But Zachariah did not believe the words of the heavenly messenger, and then the angel said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you the good news. Behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words....”

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zachariah and they were astonished that he had not come out from the Sanctuary after so long a time. And when he did come out, he was supposed to pronounce a blessing upon the people, but could not do so because he had been struck speechless. When Zachariah explained by gestures that he was unable to speak, the people then understood that he had experienced a vision. The prophecy of the Archangel was fulfilled, and Righteous Elizabeth was delivered from her barrenness, and gave birth to John, the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord.

My God, by whose grace I am able to distinguish good from evil, I beseech You: do not permit me to act against Your commandments by word, deed, or thought. Especially guard me, Lord, when passions assail me and tempt me against Your commandments. Grant me strength against the enemies of my salvation, and protect me that, with my advancing years, I may each day become more wise and virtuous. Grant this through the grace and mercies of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed +, together with Your all-holy, gracious, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.