Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Similitudes and Parables
In the Gospel Jesus often teaches in parables (or “similitudes” depending on the translation). These parables are particular stories Jesus tells in order to make a point. Some are short while some are quite drawn out. 

Scholarly Definition: "At its simplest a parable is a metaphor or simile, drawn from nature or common life, arresting the hearer by its vividness or strangeness, and leaving the mind in sufficient doubt about its precise application, to tease it into active thought."(C. H. Dodd, The Parables of the Kingdom, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1961, p. 5).  https://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Parables.htm

While each of us cannot name them all, we probably know a few.  We have heard these parables so often they get engrained, but this is good thing. That is one of the advantages of telling a story rather than just making a statement - the image of the story usually takes deeper root in our minds.  At times Jesus would give simpler statements especially regarding the moral law and how to grow in charity, but many times He would use a parable to flesh out that teaching.  He would use parables especially when conveying more mysterious teachings like the reality of sin in the world, the kingdom of God, and the end times.

The thing with the parables is that they always hit us unaware, like a twist in a good story.  Remember we have become used to hearing these stories and are 2,000 years removed from their original context. Even so we can still learn much from them.  We, along with the first people Jesus spoke to, have a certain world view and we tend to be comfortable with it. If someone starts attacking, I get defensive.  So, Jesus used a parable with its signature twist. It was this very human story-telling device Jesus uses to sneak past our defenses and get us to consider something new.  His parables use irony, humor, and hyperbole to challenge the listener to consider a different world view, God’s view in fact.  It is this view in which He wants to form us.  It is the view of the Kingdom that we have lost due to falsehood, fear, sin, selfishness, and pride. We tend to build walls around our views and don’t want to change. The Lord knows this so He sneaks through with an interesting story hoping we will see the truth and change our views to conform to His, leading us to see clearly. 

I said above that Jesus uses parables to make a point, but this would be too simplistic because their very nature is to invite further thought.  So, if there is one point that all parables share it is that if you think you have it figured out, then you probably don’t.

There are many to delve into, like the Prodigal Son, the Good Samaritan, the Wheat and the Chaff and many others. Perhaps there are some you find particularly poignant or helpful in your life.  Here is a website that can get you started on learning more.  Don’t forget also that our parishioners all have a free account with FORMED.ORG, which has resources and scripture studies. 

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr