Thursday 30th July- St. Peter Chrysologus, B.D. (opt. mem)

A FISHING NET

Matthew 13:47-53

What can a story about a fishing net and a big catch tell us about God’s kingdom? The two most common ways of fishing in Jesus’ time was with a cast net (or hand-net) which is thrown from the shore and the drag-net or trawl which is let down or cast into the waters from a boat. As the boat moves through the waters the drag-net is drawn into the shape of a great cone which indiscriminately takes in all kinds of fish, flotsam and jetsam swept in its path. It usually takes several men to haul such a net ashore. What is Jesus’ point here? Just as a drag-net catches every kind of fish in the sea, so does the Church act as God’s instrument for gathering in all who will come.

Dear friends in Christ, just as the drag-net does not or cannot discriminate, so also the Church does not discriminate between the good and the bad, the useless and the useful. God’s kingdom is open to all who will accept and believe. No matter what we have done, how ugly our past has been ,the Church is ever open to us through the sacrament of reconciliation and of the Eucharist. But there will come a time of separation, at the close of the age, when the angels will send the good and the bad to their respective destinations.

Our duty is to gather in all who will come. God, in the end, will dole out the reward or punishment. God offers the treasure of his kingdom to all who believe. Let us seek the Lord now before its late. Let us hunger for God and his kingdom.

PRAYER: Lord, increase my hunger for your kingdom and fill my heart with eager longing for you that I may one day gaze upon your face in everlasting bliss.

KNOW YOUR FAITH CCC 2465: What is truth?
God is the source of all truth… Since God is truth, the members of his people are called to live in truth

HIDE A TREASURE: “ By the free gift of God’s grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free.” Rom 3:24 GNB

Today’s Readings: Ex 40: 16-21.34-38; Ps 84: 2-5.7.10; Mt 13: 47-53