The parable of the dragnet

JESUS said to his 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.

REFLECTION YOU UNDERSTAND ALL THESE THINGS? Jesus asks if the disciples understand the meaning of the parables he has just related. The disciples answer, “Yes.” Really? We wonder.

Before the question, Jesus tells the parable of a net thrown into the sea, collecting all sorts of fishes. This is similar to the parable of the good seed and the bad seed. The good and the bad may coexist for now, appearing to be on the same footing. But there will be a time of reckoning. At the end of time, the righteous will be separated from the wicked.

The disciples must choose what is good, that is, heed the teachings of Jesus.

Before he goes away to another place, Jesus says, “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.” Those who learn from Jesus take in both the new and the old and are able to integrate them into their lives. How much do you understand your faith? Do not be ashamed to acknowledge your

ignorance and need to learn.