Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Sister Clarette SSpS
Thursday 17th Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus often used familiar experiences to teach about the Kingdom of God. Today’s parable comes from the life of fishermen—like some of His disciples—who earned their living from the Sea of Galilee. After a night of fishing, they would separate their catch: those that were “kosher” and permissible to eat, and those forbidden by the Law.
Jesus explains that at the end of time, the angels will separate the wicked from the righteous, just as fishermen separate the clean fish from the unclean (Matthew 13:47–50).
This parable is not only about the final judgment—it is also an invitation to discern now. Just as fishermen sort their catch immediately upon reaching shore, so too we can examine our lives daily. At the end of each day, we can ask: Which of my actions pleased God? Which did not?
The challenge is not merely to conform to external rules or commandments, but to look deeper—into the quality of our hearts, the source from which our actions flow. “The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil” (Luke 6:45).
What is at stake is our love relationship with God. The parable reminds us that discipleship is not about appearances but about an ever-deepening love affair with the Lord, who calls us moment by moment. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
When our actions spring from love, they bear fruit that endures. When they are rooted in selfishness or pride, they wither.
This parable invites us to a daily practice of discernment:
- Examine our thoughts, words, and deeds.
- Discern not only by law but by love.
- Respond to God’s initiative with openness and trust.
In doing so, we prepare not only for the final harvest but also for the daily call to holiness.
One comment