07/30/2026
30th Jul 2026 - *Thursday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time.*
Jeremiah 18:1-6
Matthew 13:47-53
Jesus said to the disciples: “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
“Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied.
He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there.
*Sharing 😗
A series of parables are used by Jesus to explain the Kingdom of heaven, and today’s gospel is the last parable - the Fishing Net.
The Kingdom of God must be of utmost importance that Jesus has to use seven parables to describe it. So that people at his time mainly the fishermen (fishing net parable used), the farmers (seeds falling on various soils), the merchants (the pearl) or the bakers (the yeast) would understand from one of the many parables; believe and repent.
It taught us to take the troubles with the various gifts and charism we received from God, to help and bless others.
*Embracing Diversity* - The parable of the net reveals the inclusive nature of God's kingdom, gathering people from diverse backgrounds.
Our discipleship involves cultivating a discerning heart that welcomes this diversity, recognizing God's love transcends all boundaries. Just as the net collects fish of various kinds, the kingdom embraces individuals with different stories and experiences.
*Living Righteously in Anticipation of the Judgment* - The sorting of good and bad fish in the parable points to the final judgment. As disciples, we strive for righteousness, aligning our actions with God's will. While God's grace is inclusive, our response involves a commitment to righteous living, anticipating the day when our past choices will be weighed. May our hearts be open to the kingdom's diversity and may our lives reflect a dedication to righteous living as we await the final judgment.
*Jesus, cast the net of Your kingdom wide, and help me be among those who hear, respond, and live according to Your Word. Teach me to be a wise steward of both tradition and revelation, I trust in You.*
