The Kingdom of God is Like a Net

 Thursday Reflection – July 31st

 

Today is Thursday, the last day of the month of July. I’ve worked the last three days, and now that I’m off, I had hoped to attend the 8 a.m. Mass at the local parish. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it there. 

However, I made it to the 12 noon Mass at a new parish on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven. The homily was brief and centered on the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He underwent a profound conversion and went on to found the Jesuit order of the Church.

You might have heard of institutions like Fordham, Georgetown, and a few other prominent universities, they were all founded by Jesuits. Powerful legacy.

St. Ignatius was also known for his Spiritual Exercises, a set of practices that can fundamentally transform who we are.

Below are the Scripture passages and a few reflections along that stirred within me.

First Reading

(Exodus 40:16–21, 34–38)

 Moses did exactly as the LORD had commanded him.

 This passage reminds us of the importance of obedience. Moses followed God’s instructions with precision and humility, and the result was the indwelling of God's presence among the people. The cloud that settled over the Dwelling was a visible sign that God was near. It makes me ask myself: Am I preparing a space in my life where God can dwell? Am I obeying, even in the small things?

The Responsorial Psalm – (Psalm 84:3–6, 8, 11)

 "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!"

 This Psalm is a song of longing, for God’s house, for God’s presence. It's a reminder that no matter where we are in life, there’s no better place than being close to God. Whether in joy or trial, our souls find rest only in Him.

Alleluia!! 

(Acts 16:14b)

 "Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son."

This simple verse is a prayer I need every day. With the noise of work, and there is a lot of that, life, and my own thoughts, I ask God to open my heart, really open it, so I can listen, not just hear, but the voice of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel

(Matthew 13:47–53)

 “The Kingdom of heaven is like a net…” Wow!

 Jesus uses this parable to remind us that the Kingdom is for all people, but not all will choose the path of righteousness. The sorting of the fish is a sobering image of judgment. Yet even in this, Jesus is patient, giving each of us time to respond, to turn, to follow. He asks the disciples, “Do you understand all these things?” May I not only say “Yes” with my lips, but live out that understanding daily.

And this line struck me deeply:

"Every scribe instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old."

Jesus calls us to carry wisdom from the past and pair it with the freshness of what He is doing today. A living faith, not a stale one. That is what the Bible being a living text is all about. 

God is majestic. Powerful. Present.

 Even on days when we face challenges, He is right there. He still meets us in His Word.

 Amen.

God bless you 🙏 

-Pal Ronnie-