THE FISHING NET – JULY 29TH THURDAY (Mt 13: 47-53)

47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. 51 "Have you understood all this?" They said to him, "Yes." 52 And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." 53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there.


1. Christ gave the disciples the drag-net which is the word of the kingdom. He taught them how to use it. They heard his preaching. His almighty energy went with them. They are not supposed to make distinction among the hearers. In the kingdom of God all are welcome.

2. The disciples of Jesus were fisher of people. They were called to do this service. Among them some were literally fisher folks. From the lower they were promoted to the higher fishing grounds. We do not always get fish in our nets and even if we get not all the fish can be eaten. This should not discourage the fishermen.

3. when it has been filled – the term ‘filled’ is related to the full number assigned to the Gentiles in (Rom 11: 25.) Here there is no Jew – Gentile distinction rather, it is righteous versus wicked (those who hear Jesus words and those who do not)

4. ‘the bad ones’ – the term ‘sapra’ refers to inedible sea- creatures and unclean fish. These do not have fins and scales (Lev 11: 10-12). The bad ones are thrown out not thrown back into the sea. After the judgment there will not be any bad people left.

5. like a householder – The comparison is with the householder who brings out his treasury new things and old things. Both new and old are valued; the new does not make the old useless. That the Messiah should dignify and perfect the Law of Moses was nothing new to the Jews. They looked for this, but the manner of its accompaniment shocked and annoyed them.



A true disciple is one trained in the mysteries of the kingdom, who is able to maintain a balance between the continuity and discontinuity existing between the era inaugurated by Jesus and that of the past. He must represent a Christianity encompassing both Testaments. Yahweh is our God not only of Jews. There is a tendency in all of us to ignore the Old Testament which is the backbone of the New Testament. We should never forget that ‘Old is Gold’

Courtesy
Pulpit Commentary
Sacra Pagina Series
Word Biblical Commentary