By FR. RICHARD D. BRETON JR.
Over the last few weeks, we have heard several of the parables Jesus spoke during the course of His ministry. Each of the parables offer examples from daily living that help us to understand the importance the Kingdom of God plays in our lives. Sometimes just a simple example help to broaden our knowledge of God’s kingdom. Things like water, wheat, and a well, all have uses in ordinary life; they do, however, also have symbolism in the spiritual life. Water is cleansing and is used in Baptism. Wheat is used to make unleavened bread, that becomes the Body of Christ. And a well, is the source of flowing water for the community and as Jesus teaches the Samaritan woman, life-giving water.
Today I want to focus on the Parable of the Net. This parable is included, in the Gospel of St. Matthew and sometimes is referred to as the Parable of the Fishing Net or the Parable of the Net Cast into the Sea. Here is the parable for us to read:
“Once again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 13:47-50).
So what exactly is this parable about? In summary, the parable of the fishing net is about a net that was let down in a lake and caught many fish. When the net was pulled up, the fish in the net were sorted. The good fish were kept and the bad were thrown away. And so, the Parable of the Fishing Net is symbolic of what God offers in the Gospel to all of humanity. God offers salvation to all who are “caught” in the net of the Catholic Church.
It is through the Church that we find the path that will lead us to the heavenly Kingdom. Of those caught in the net, or those who have accepted the invitation to know Christ, not all are true believers. Some are hypocrites. Hypocrites are Christian in name only but not in heart or action.
One example of this kind of person is our current president who calls himself a Catholic, and yet, promotes abortion and the destruction of the family. This is very troubling because it causes much confusion, especially to those who have fallen away or become lukewarm in their faith. Many perceive the actions of the president acceptable because of the office he holds as an elected official.
On the other hand, for the faithful Catholic, the actions of the president are scandalous. These so-called “Christians” will suffer the consequence of God’s judgment and be cast away. Anyone who calls themselves Christian but is insincere will suffer the “blazing furnace” of Hell. As the parable says, the fish in the net will be sorted, the good from the bad; the righteous from the unrighteous.
There are several life lessons that we can take away from the Parable of the Net. The first is, the net is cast out for all. Our Heavenly Father sent Jesus to save us all. His offer of redemption and salvation is found in the Sacred Scripture and is intended for every human person. The purpose of the net is to catch fish of all sizes, colors, and types. Everyone is welcome to accept the invitation, but each must follow the Truths that the Catholic Church professes. All Christians are gathered in God’s net. Anyone willing to accept Jesus is welcome in the net.
The second lesson from the parable, is that God always knows what’s in your heart. God knows everything and anything about us. He created us, after all! If He knows the number of hairs on our head, then He actually knows us better than we know ourselves. But even though He knows us, He never forces us. One of the greatest gifts God has given us is free will. We have the opportunity to either accept or reject the teachings of Christ.
There’s no faking Christianity with God. If our hearts are not genuine, He knows. If we’re going through the Catholic motions by going to church and saying things that make us look like pious Catholics to others, but inside, we’re really hollow and void of God, He knows.
Here I am thinking about all those who receive Communion like it doesn’t matter to them. Their body language shows their lack of respect and understanding of the Eucharist. These hypocrites will find a harsh judgment. But the good news is, we can turn to Christ genuinely at any time and He is there waiting for us with open arms.
Third, the parable reminds us that there is a Judgment. Today, many people have disregarded the idea of judgment. The world has convinced many to think we can do anything we want and there will be no consequences. Sacred Scripture, however, makes the existence of Heaven and Hell very clear. In the Parable of the Net, Jesus reminds us that hypocritical Catholics (Catholics in name only) will not be welcomed in Heaven. This warning serves to encourage us to be honest with ourselves about the holiness of our hearts. Then, we are called to make the changes necessary to get back on the path that leads to Heaven.
Each year on August 6, we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration. At the Transfiguration, on top of Mt. Tabor, Jesus gives Peter, James, and John a glimpse of Heaven. They experience such joy and are willing to build three tents to honor Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. In the same way, those who have been “caught” in the net of the Church are also able to experience this same joy, but only if they are willing to accept the Church and her teachings.
There is another place where we also get a glimpse of Heaven. This occurs every time Mass is celebrated. During every consecration at Mass, the veil that separates Heaven and Earth is removed and God touches us, and we touch God. In the liturgy we move from the ordinary to the extraordinary, from the mundane to the sacred and experience the presence of God. So often, the liturgy is lowered to a mere earthly social event, instead of a heavenly experience.
I have been in parishes that insist on making the opening of the Mass something other than a sacred event. Silly things like making people turn and welcome each other at the beginning of Mass. This reduces the Mass to something earthly, instead of something supernatural. The liturgy is not ours to make changes and insert things that are not allowed. It belongs to the Church and is inspired by God.
In closing, we pray the Anima Christi Prayer:
“Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds hide me. Separated from Thee let me never be. From the malignant enemy, defend me. At the hour of death, call me. And close to Thee bid me. That with Thy saints I may be praising Thee, forever and ever. Amen.”
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