William H. Rau (1855-1920)
Fishermen by the Sea of Galilee, Palestine
stereograph, gelatin silver, ca.29 December 1903
Today’s net holds a variety of interesting “fish.” I find joy in the beautiful morning. Pain deep in my bones. Ease for the pain in the sun’s warmth. Anxiety about returning to work tomorrow. Comfort in the cat’s purr. Annoyance in the in-and-out demands of another cat. An opportunity to be in touch with my elderly aunt. A message from a friend.
To be in the kingdom of heaven is to choose the fish that feed me and others. It is to make a deliberate effort to discard the fish that weaken my ability to love.
Today I choose to let go of anxiety and annoyance. I choose to be gentle with the pain. I choose to give thanks for the beauty of the world and the people I encounter.
[Jesus said to his disciples,] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away.” Matthew 13:47-48
Mary Ann McSweeny 
I love this post, Mary. How we do live in a world with so many different fish, of every variety. I love that you gave to me that perspective on/in life. Thank you.
I also like the thought of the fish which are of no value to my life, I need to toss out of my “net.” Which are mainly my own thoughts and selfish desires. How I handle hurt of every kind, physical and emotional.
As I read your last line, “today I choose,” that is truly what it is about, isn’t it? What and how we choose to handle our day to day struggles, and our day to day joys.
Very reflective post for me, as your’s always are. Thank you for being you. Love and God Bless, SR
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Thank you for your thoughtful comments, SR. Today I am thankful to know I have a choice.
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