“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.” Mathew 13:48

Unless it is linked to the previous one, the reference verse might not be understood fully. “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish (V.47). 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 (V.48)”

This text is one of Jesus’ parables, as he was used to speaking of the Kingdom of Heaven, using things and images we are familiar with to describe spiritual and heavenly realities. By way of that parable, he chose to use fishers and fish to clearly tell us about what will happen on the day of judgement. Just as the fisher select fish once the fishing is over, “to collect in baskets good fish” and “throw away the bad”, so will it be on the day of judgement: the good will access heaven whereas the bad will be thrown into hell.

It is useless to remind us of the fact that there currently are so many plagues with apocalyptic appearance. Hence phenomena like heresy and apostasy, which are key features of end times, manifest themselves today in worse form than before. This is ultimately the best moment for us to reflect on our live and our Christian walk and ask ourselves the question to know where our Christian race will land us. For we can neither deceive God, nor corrupt him with what we do in church or our playful sacrifices.

Beloved one, as we all know, it is not after we have passed away that God will start thinking to decide whether to welcome us in his kingdom or to throw us in hell, but only the life we are living here will determine our final destination.

For us to be kept, we need to practice God’s word, live a holy life, obey God’s commandments, exercise forgiveness, have and grow spirit of humility, live a prayer life, be patient and wait for God’s will, even in the midst of tests.