What is striking about the parable of the dragnet as a metaphor for the Kingdom is that it does not simply “catch” the good fish, but also the bad or undesirable ones. The net catches all sorts of fish and non-fish in the process.

This implies that the Kingdom is offered to everyone, both good and bad. Which reminds us of Jesus’ pointing to the sun and the rain which shines or falls upon everyone, both good and bad.

However, while on the one hand, the Kingdom welcomes everyone, the parable also warns of the day of “sorting out,” of separating between the good fish and bad fish, or the fish and the non-fish, like weeds, pieces of wood, garbage, etc.

This hides, therefore, an invitation to reflect on what kind of “fish” we are, or what kind of life we are living.

At the same time, it should also awaken us to the fact that in this world we need to know how to navigate in the sea where bad fish also abound or co-exist with us.

Nowadays, the call and desire for inclusivity is very strong—which is a good thing.

But this does not mean eliminating discernment or attentiveness as we relate with various types of people.

At the same time, we also have the responsibility to be good examples so that more “good” fish can be sorted out for the Kingdom.

This word came to Jeremiah from the Lord: Rise up, be off to the potter’s house; there I will give you my message.

I went down to the potter’s house and there he was, working at the wheel.

Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased.

Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done? says the Lord. Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.” or “Alleluia.”

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.