Homily: Thursday - 17th Week of OT - Parable of the Net

Throughout the 13^th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel we read several parables all concerning what Jesus calls “the kingdom of heaven.” Scholars call these parables “the seven Kingdom parables” in which Jesus uses the word “kingdom” twelve times.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a sower who sowed good seeds in the soil”

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed”

The kingdom of heaven is like yeast”

Today we heard the last of the kingdom parables, “the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea”. Jesus’ first disciples were fisherman, but we can understand this image pretty well.  This net is dragged through the sea.  And if it is dragged, it picks up everything: not just fish, but debris, seaweed, and everything else that might be in the way.  And when you get back to shore, you have to separate what is good from what is bad.  And Jesus is saying the kingdom of God is like that. 

Then Jesus even clarifies, he says, this image is about the kingdom of God at the end of time.  There will be judgment at the end of time, when Jesus comes again, on whether or not we belong in the kingdom or whether we are like the debris and garbage that is thrown back. 

We profess this belief every week in the creed that, “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead”. 

For many, the idea of being judged worthy of heaven or hell is a terrifying idea.  Some grow scrupulous over their moral choices, while others reject the notion of judgment, and live as if everyone is destined for heaven. There is a prevailing attitude in our secular culture that says, it doesn’t really matter how you act, it doesn’t really matter what you believe, everybody goes to heaven.  Kind of like, just because we are born, we are entitled to heaven, no matter if you live a life rejecting God’s grace or not. 

Somewhere in the middle of scrupulosity and laxity is the need for each of us take our moral choices seriously, while also entrusting ourselves to the mercy and goodness of God. Like a fisherman, being a Christian is hard work: for priests, for parents and godparents responsible for passing on the faith to those in their care, for all of us.

Pope Benedict, (in a message to the US Bishops), said, “Truly caring about young people and the future of our civilization means recognizing our responsibility to promote and live by the authentic moral values which alone enable the human person to flourish.”

We recall that each of us has a role in God’s plan of salvation, each of us called to be part of that dragnet God uses to catch souls by spreading the Gospel, while also taking seriously the need to conform our minds and hearts to Christ in all things—to be merciful, to be humble, to be pure, to be committed to justice, to be faithful as Him, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.