47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. 48 When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. 49 Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
51 “Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” 52 And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” 53 When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there. (Matt 13:47-53)
AD FINEM
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a scientist, geologist, paleontologist, philosopher, theologian, mystic, and poet—all rolled into one, a veritable renaissance man! Teilhard was an evolutionist who says that everything is evolving towards perfection, towards what he called the “Omega point” who is Christ. God’s creation has a sacred character. There is primacy of life: not only that of the human person but likewise, that of every creature. He says that evolution has a direction, that there is finality in everything that exists.
From Teilhard’s thoughts we can gather bits and pieces of wisdom. We belong to different generations, but all of us do have the time and the space to grow, to be versatile, to embrace more of what life can give to us. Get a hobby, learn something new that would make the best of our moments. Yes, be versatile! The vibrance that we have each day is a reminder of the greatest gift that God gives us, life! It is a reminder likewise that all the things we do and all we are have a direction that moves ad finem—towards an end.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus introduces his parables with “the kingdom of heaven...” Some of them give reference about what would happen “at the end of the age.” Today’s discourse from Jesus follows this pattern. From how he describes the net, we get to know that it is a dragnet because it is hauled ashore. Then there is some sorting that is done and what is bad is thrown away. The explanation of Jesus follows immediately. At the end of the age, there will also be a sorting: a separation of the wicked from the righteous.
By the way we live, how would we fare in that final sorting? The words of Jesus are an affirmation that we, indeed, move towards an end.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Am I aware of the teachings of the Church on the last things?
2. How do I remotely prepare for the end?
Lord, at the end of my earthly journey, have mercy on me.
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