EXCEPT IN PARABLES

PRAYER MOMENT           An invitation to take a few minutes to ponder the excerpt below from the readings of today and listen to what the Spirit of Jesus is saying to me.                

Monday 28 July 2014,  

EXCEPT IN PARABLES

Pause. Be still in the presence of God.

Reading: In all this Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables; indeed, he would never speak to them except in parables. (Matt13: 31-35)

Reflection. There are three parables in our readings today; two are in the gospel – the mustard seed and the leaven – and one in Jeremiah (13:1-11) - about the loincloth. They are each strikingly vivid, the fruit of keen observation of daily life. The images are of things you can see and touch. They are not abstract sayings. A loincloth is an intimate piece of clothing illustrating the close relationship of God and his people. The loincloth is spoiled – and so, it follows, is the relationship. Parables, Gerhard Lohfink says, are designed to ‘disturb’ – to shake up – the hearers. We have many about the kingdom of heaven. The two today are full of future hope. We do not see it now but all the peoples of the earth will ‘shelter’ in the kingdom which is like the leaven which inwardly transforms the world. A parable is like a challenge. There is no one explanation. Each of us is called to confront the parable and draw from it what comes to us for our nourishment.  

Prayer. Lord, teach us to examine the parables for ourselves. What do they mean for me? Send us your Holy Spirit to guide our understanding and give us our daily bread. Amen..

David Harold-Barry SJ