Thursday, July 30, 2020
Bible Text: “The kingdom of God is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad” Matthew 13. 47-52
The Holy Father Pope Francis is always reminding us that every parish should be a welcoming community. The doors of our church must always be wide open to all people who wish to pray, to find peace, to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, to listen to God’s words or even for curiosity sake. It tells us about the universal love of God. He loves all of us unconditionally, sinners or saints, the good and the bad, the young and old, children and adults. We are all children of God. His great desire is to fill His house with people. This is what the kingdom of God is all about. It is not exclusive but inclusive.
The church is also a place of conversion. The word of God is the transforming power of God. He wanted us to be children of God. Children of God are those who are obedient to the will of the Father. Nevertheless, personal transformation is not imposed but rather a personal choice. The sacraments are always made available to all so that we can accomplish what is being asked from us. God is always giving ample opportunities so that we can comply what is being expected from us. On our part, we have to grab the opportunity. As Jesus is reaching out to us, we have to be reached out. As Jesus unconditionally loves us, we have to allow Jesus to love us. As Jesus forgives us, we have to accept that we are forgiven. Conversion is always a collaboration of God’s grace and human effort. We have to permit the grace of God work in us. We have to do our part.
Finally, Jesus reminds us of the grim reality which is the final judgment. The good will be separated from the bad. The good will be put in the basket and the bad will be thrown into the furnace of fire. He is not scaring or threatening people when He told us about it but He is just letting us aware about man’s destiny. Everything that we are doing here on earth has its consequence. If we do good, we will surely be rewarded with good and if we do bad we will surely receive God’s judgment.