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Gospel Mattew 13:47-53 |
47 Jesus said to the disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. 48 When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. 49 Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. 51 “Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” 52 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.” 53 When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.
Historical Background
Jesus spoke this parable in a region where fishing was a daily livelihood. The dragnet was a large net pulled between boats, gathering all kinds of sea life indiscriminately. Fishermen would sort the catch—keeping kosher fish (those with fins and scales) and discarding the rest. This familiar process became a metaphor for divine judgment. The idea of separating the righteous from the wicked was rooted in Jewish eschatology, especially in apocalyptic literature like Daniel 12.
Theological Context
The net gathers “fish of every kind,” symbolizing the universal call of the Gospel—Jews and Gentiles alike. The sorting of fish represents the separation of the righteous and the wicked at the end of the age (cf. Matthew 25:31–46).
Angels are depicted as agents of divine judgment, emphasizing the seriousness and holiness of the event.
Jesus affirms that those trained in the Kingdom are like householders who bring out treasures “new and old”—a call to integrate tradition with revelation.
Learning Lessons
Not all who are gathered are kept—true faith must be lived, not merely professed. The parable reminds us that time is limited; we must respond to God’s call now. It offers hope for the faithful and a sober warning for the unrepentant.
As “scribes trained for the Kingdom,” we are called to teach, preserve, and share both ancient truths and fresh insights.
“The Net of Heaven”
A net was cast into the sea,
Wide as grace, deep as mystery.
It gathered fish of every kind,
The seeking soul, the wandering mind.
The angels came with holy light,
To sort the wrong from what is right.
The good were kept in vessels fair,
The rest were cast to judgment’s glare.
O soul, be wise, the time is near,
The net still sweeps both far and near.
Let faith be true, let love be bold,
Bring forth the treasures new and old.
Lord Jesus,
Fisher of souls, You cast Your net across the sea of humanity, gathering hearts from every shore. Teach me to live as one found worthy— not by merit, but by mercy. Let me be a vessel of Your grace, a scribe who treasures both the old and the new. Help me discern truth, walk in righteousness,
And share Your Gospel with urgency and love.
When the angels come to sort the catch, may I be found in Your hands, kept for the Kingdom, forever Yours.
Amen.
Pericope:
IV: Opposition from Israel
MORE PARABALES / TREASURES NEW AND OLD
Matthew 13:44-50 / 51-53
Gospel Acclamation
Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.
Reflection Source
Conversation with Copilot
