(Matthew 13:47-53)

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, “which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. “So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, “and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.

In this Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses the parable of a fishing net.  He’s explaining that the net catches all kinds of fish.  He was trying to explain to his disciples that just like a net catches all types of fish indiscriminately, so too are there all sorts of diversity in our world.  Jesus goes on further to try and explain how bad fish are tossed away and good fish are retained.  He further demonstrates that when we are called to heaven we face our judgement.  If we are judged righteous, we receive the graces from God and live forever in heaven.  If we are judged evil, we are cast away into the fires of hell.

When reading this Gospel, someone might wonder why there is even good and evil.  Why hasn’t God just eliminated evil and then everyone would be able to enter into heaven.  After all, this is the ultimate reward.  We must remember that God has given us free will.  We have the choice to resist temptation and reject the devil.  We’re faced and tested with decisions of this nature every hour of every day.  While I don’t presume to speak for God, merely interpret in a layman’s way the reading, I would venture a guess to say that as a Father, God wants with Him those who want to be with Him.  That doesn’t mean that should someone who has done evil and eventually makes the conscious decision to reject evil isn’t welcome in God’s home.  He wants it to be a choice.  He wants us to want to come home to Him.

We’re told in many places in the Bible about the home that God has waiting for us.  We don’t have to worry about whether we have a place to stay if we choose God and follow His instruction.  As humans, we’re not perfect.  Our souls are tempted and we often make poor decisions based on materialistic wants.  We are sometimes focused on self-serving behaviors.  Every part of the Bible teaches us to be service to others oriented.  To love others and treat them like we desire to be treated.

Think about your own relationships.  As a child, how did or do you treat your father?  Did you rebel and think you knew it all?  Did you eventually realize that your father was wise and tested and had the answers you later discovered on your own?  We are no different as children of God.  With free will, we’re faced with decisions.  Sometimes we think we know better and we choose to cover our ears so we don’t have to listen to the Word.  It is during these times that we tend to get lost and lose our focus on what’s really important.  We allow ourselves to get so wrapped up in the day-to-day grind that we fail to stop and focus on those things that in the end, really matter!  A job is a job.  Those come and go.  Family is forever.  We’ve all experienced family losses.  Too often we fail to appreciate what we have until someone we love isn’t with us anymore.  We reflect and realize that we wish we’d had more time with them.  Remember to say “I love you” to your family especially when you or they are leaving.  We never know the day or hour when we may be called home or your family member may.  You want your last words to be loving.  All Jesus wants from us is to be loving brothers and sisters.  He wants us to come home and move back in!  What will your answer be to Jesus?