And he said, The person is like a wise fisherman who cast his net into the sea and drew it up from the sea full of little fish. Among them the wise fisherman discovered a fine large fish. He threw all the little fish back into the sea, and easily chose the large fish. Anyone here with two good ears had better listen! (8 Thomas)

We can busy and bother ourselves with many little things. It is more helpful to focus on a few matters of large import.

The problem can be distinguishing large from small. Different sized fish are easily recognized. The choice is not always so clear.

A large fish feeds more with less effort. How can the goal be achieved more easily? What is the goal?

The wise fisherman discovered not just a large fish, but a fine large fish. Fine for what purpose? What is the quality that matters?

In Matthew's gospel (see Matthew 13:47-48) a similar metaphor is offered. There the goal is more clearly understood as experiencing God's reign.

Jesus said, "The Person is like..." This is an unusual construction which may suggest the fully conscious and actualized human, similar to the Hindu atma.

How do I become the Person that God intends?

Above is a Russian Orthodox icon of St. Thomas the Apostle.