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Saturday, October 19, 2013

IS THE CHURCH NOT THE DRAGNET?



47* “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind;
48* and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away.
49* “So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous,
50* and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
MY COMMENTS: Pope Francis doesn't want to close the Church's doors to anyone! Is it based on the Parable of the Dragnet? Of course there is judgement. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Church teaching in Scripture, Tradition and Canon Law we discern our need for the Sacrament of Penance to worthily receive Holy Communion.
The second judgement is our personal one at our death where we are allowed heaven or purgatory for further penance and purification or the eternal damnation of hell. Thus the parable of the dragnet is fulfilled and by God, not man.
God makes no mistakes in what He keeps or throws out. No one is in Heaven, hell or purgatory by accident or undeservingly. In a sense our free will is firmly judged by God who knows who we are and where our heart truly is as evidenced by one's life properly judged by God. If there are people in hell, they wanted it and thus have their free will confirmed by God. God's unconditional love and salvation are gifts offered to be received not a burden imposed offending free will.
I don't judge Catholics who come to Holy Communion nor those who don't. Ultimately the Just and Loving God will do that.
Also keep in mind the dragnet of colonial times in South America. Natives were baptized en mass. That was well meaning but inappropriate today without an adult's actual consent. But the dragnet was operative and Christ be the great Judge and Sorter of what was dragged ashore to the Church!


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

What happened to Limbo?

Anonymous said...

If the Church exists for sinners, and if all people are sinners, the Church exists for us all.