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In the Gospel of Matthew, we are told, “Jesus spoke everything to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.” (13:34) May we have ears to hear to what Jesus was / is saying …
“The Parables: An Introduction,” podcast #112In this parable of the Sower and the Seed, we will explore what Jesus may have had in mind as he began to teach us about the Realm of God. “Jesus said, loud and clear, ‘I, if I be lifted up, will draw all to myself’; the church, louder and clearer, insisted he only meant some.” – Rober Farrar Capon
“The Sower & the Seed,” podcast #113The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:23-35 ) offers a tool to help us live a more liberated life. “Daniel-san, for person with no forgiveness in heart … living even worse punishment than death.” – Mr . Miyagi, (The Karate Kid, Part II)
“The Unmerciful Servant,” podcast #115This podcast offers a reflection on the parable of the Wheat and the Weeds as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13. In this story, Jesus offers us wisdom on how to cope with the evil in our world.
“The Wheat & the Weeds,” podcast #116In this parable of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew chapter 20, we are challenged to reflect on how we determine what is fair. Additionally, we may even consider how our own minds work to uproot gratitude from our hearts and replace it with seeds of envy.
“The Vineyard Workers,” podcast #117In this podcast, we consider the Parable of the Talents from the Gospel of Matthew chapter 25. In this story, Jesus offers us a choice of which Realm we want to live in … The Realm where you have to perform heroic deeds in order to be accepted and loved by God, or the Realm where you are already loved and accepted by God so that you might be liberated to live heroically?
“The Parable of the Talents,” podcast #118This podcast is a reflection on the famous parable of “The Prodigal Son” recorded in Luke Chapter 15. As Henri Nouwen observed, “Unlike a fairy tale, the parable provides no happy ending. Instead, it leaves us face to face with one of life’s hardest spiritual choices: to trust or not to trust in God’s all-forgiving love.” “The Prodigal Son,” podcast #119
This episode offers a continuing short reflection on the parable of The Prodigal Son. The question is: “If we are going to claim we are Christian … will people be able to recognize a family resemblance?” “The Prodigal Son: Take Two,” podcast #120
In this reflection on the parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke’s Gospel (10:25-37) the focus is not on what the Samaritan did to make him good, but rather on why he did what he did and why that is so important. “Once there is seeing, there must be acting. Otherwise, what is the use of seeing?” – Thich Nhat Hanh
“The Good Samaritan,” podcast #122In this reflection on the parable of “The Rich Fool” as recorded in St. Luke, Chapter 12, we consider what it might mean to live wisely. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliott
“The Rich Fool,” podcast #123In this podcast, we consider Jesus’ parable about “The Friend at Midnight” and how it might inform our desire to connect with God. “Any god concerned with me but not with you is an idol.” – Abraham Joshua Heschel
“The Friend at Midnight,” podcast #124In this week’s podcast we reflect on the parable of Jesus recorded in St. Luke chapter 14 called, “The Great Banquet.” The focus of this reflection will be on how to not allow the fear of not having enough cause us to miss the divine invitation of God’s amazing grace in the here and now. “We must be willing to get rid of the life we planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ― Joseph Campbell
“The Great Banquet,” podcast #125This podcast offers a reflection on the parable of the Ten Bridesmaids as recorded in the 25th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. In this reflection we consider what Jesus might have had in mind about the best way to prepare for the future.
“The Ten Bridesmaids,” podcast #136This week’s podcast offers a reflection on the parable of “The Sheep and the Goats” recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25. We consider how this story may give us a glimpse on the motivation Jesus expects from those who will be his followers. “Neither the sheep nor the goats knew what they were doing. Do you finally see? Nobody knows anything. What did the sheep trust? That God is the Love that will not let us go.” – Robert Farrar Capon
“The Sheep and the Goats,” podcast #138