Parables and Stories

People love stories. We remember things, events and ideas better when we are told stories about them rather than just being simply told about an idea, a thing or an event. Jesus couched most of what He taught us in stories He called parables, of which he left many to us. And we remember better what he wanted to teach us: the Parable of the Prodigal Son taught us about unconditional love; the Good Samaritan taught us about compassion; the Merciful King taught us about forgiveness; the Parable to the Sower taught us about the spiritual life, the mustard seed taught us about faith.

The wonderful thing about stories and parables is that we always learn something new with each re-telling. I have heard the story of the Prodigal Son a thousand times; Yet, there always something new that I learn about unconditional love every time I read or hear it. It could be a nuance I missed before, or another manifestation of what true love is, or a reminder of how difficult it is to practice unconditional love.

And when God wanted to tell us who He is, He told us a story – starting from the first moment of creation through the patriarchs, the prophets and the kings. And then, He inserted Himself into our world and became part of the story in Jesus Christ. It is the great and cosmic drama of Salvation History. The story continues to this day as He makes His role felt through the workings of the Spirit in my life today.

Remember your mercies, O Lord.
~ Psalm 25

Peter approached Jesus and asked him,
“Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive him?
As many as seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who decided to settle accounts with his servants.
When he began the accounting,
a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.
Since he had no way of paying it back,
his master ordered him to be sold,
along with his wife, his children, and all his property,
in payment of the debt.
At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’
Moved with compassion the master of that servant
let him go and forgave him the loan.
Matthew 18:21-35

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