Thursday August 3, 2017
The fishermen of Jesus’s time had two ways of fishing: they would use either a net that would be cast into the sea and drawn in after a pause, or a drag-net that would be lowered into the waters and dragged along as the boat moved. In today’s parable, Jesus talks of a drag-net that takes in whatever that comes its way, without any discrimination. Then, only after the net is pulled ashore would the separation of the good from the bad begin.
We, the Church, are asked to be fishers of people. Thus, our task is to haul in people without judging their merits or demerits. As someone rightly said, the Church consists of all saints, all souls, and all sorts. It is the task of God to judge them. For God alone knows what is in the hearts of people.
Lord, give me an undying zeal for souls and help me receive everyone with open arms into your body, the Church.