REFLECTIONS TODAY
Commentators and preachers seldom give importance to this phrase, “when it is full...” which is in the second verse (v 48). They are more inclined to develop the first verse which is about the net catching all kinds of fish to explain the mystery of the Kingdom of heaven. But they should, for it announces what is to be expected in the discourse.
In the parable, when the net is full, it is now the time when the fisherfolks haul it ashore. We may ask, “Is that the way they fished before in Galilee?” They would not go ashore until the net is full of fish? Our fisherfolks here come ashore with their nets, full or not, before daylight.
Taking into account the net “full of fish,” this parable gives us a new insight into the Kingdom of God. God works so hard to maximize his efforts to bring everyone under his care. He will not waste any space in his heart and leave out anyone unaccommodated. Everyone then must shape up to be worthy. Those who do not will be thrown away. God does not force anyone to belong to his Kingdom. Let us use our God-given freedom well.
Gospel • Matthew 13:47-53
Jesus said to the disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
“Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.