“Conformed to the Image of His Son” -Rom 8:29
A Reflection for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Brent Smith, Director of Adult Faith Formation & Evangelization
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 | Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130 | Romans 8:28-30| Matthew 13:44-52
Certain foods are just not worth eating. A controversial statement for some people, others see great wisdom in those words. Tainted fish, however, is unquestionably a danger to one’s health. Whether raw or cooked, the smell of ammonia is a clear sign of bacterial growth. Refuse to consume awful smelling seafood and you’ll likely avoid a case of digestive illness. The Gospel for this Sunday highlights the spiritual significance of such a discerning palate, of recognizing goodness and discarding evil. Our Savior presents fishermen as the first line of defense! His words must have especially resonated with Ss. (& sibling pairs) Peter & Andrew, James & John, men who understood the technicalities of preparing fish for the marketplace.
After presenting the parables of hidden treasure and a pearl of great price, Jesus shares a third parable that speaks to the social implications of living within the kingdom of heaven. Our Heavenly Father’s domain is “like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind... What is bad they [the angelic fishermen] throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age” (Mt 13:47-49). The broad and all-encompassing net of God’s kingdom is the world, while you and I alike are fish.
While we cannot precisely know when the angels will haul ashore the net of humanity, we do know with certainty that our sacred responsibility is to be Christlike among one another. Before anyone is in danger of “the fiery furnace,” he or she is faced with countless decisions over celebrating goodness into this world or ruining the goodness already present among us. Notice a fellow fish who is living without the light of the Gospel? Swim alongside each other, take delight in our common life, and boldly share the living presence of Jesus Christ.
Let us pray that no person is treated as a lost cause, as someone born without hope of being made right with the Lord. Rather, may we entrust ourselves and those deemed wicked alike to the transformational love of God. By the wisdom of King Solomon & St. Paul, anyone can conform him or herself “to the image of [the Heavenly Father’s] Son,” and find lasting, loving purpose in days ahead (Rom 8:29).
The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple. (Ps. 119:130).