When I first read the gospel reading for today I thought, “aaaacckk more parables!”
Parables drive me crazy because they make me think. This became apparent to me when I looked at today’s reading. Over and over Jesus speaks in parables.
I don’t really want to think; thinking is hard. Sometimes I wanted to grab Jesus by the shirt collar and yell, “Just tell me what you want me to know!”
And I’m not the only one. The disciples were often clueless. Same with the Pharisees, legal experts, and everyone else. Look, I’m being a bit disrespectful here, but everyone talks about what a brilliant teacher Jesus was . . . yet it seems like his audience never quite understood what the heck he was talking about.
Which is sort of the point, isn’t it? Because parables make us think. They don’t offer a clean and simple bit of instruction, like the Proverbs do. They don’t wrap truths in the beauty and poetry of a Psalm. They certainly don’t bore us like a sermon.
They tell us a story. Often about people Jesus makes up. We are pulled into the narrative because we can’t resist a good story, and then it ends in an unexpected way, and we ask, “Wait, what!? I ask you what the Kingdom of Heaven is like and you start talking about mustard seeds?”
Parables make me think, but sometimes I don’t want to think. I want someone to just give me a checklist of things to do and then I can get on with life.
But in my calmer moments, I realize the wisdom in using parables. The story sticks with me even when the meaning is elusive. This leads to wrestling with the story, trying to make sense of it, and letting it take root in my soul.
Okay, so maybe I don’t dislike parables as much as I thought. But they still drive me crazy.
In reading Luke 15: 1-32 (it’s a long GospeI, I hope it’s not too hot in Church on Sunday!!) this is what I came away with:
God never sees anyone as a problem, Jesus makes that very clear. In fact, Jesus shows us how God goes above and beyond to love people who struggle with their faith. That’s hard for us. We’re quick to label people as problems…or we look at our failures and give up on ourselves. If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone.
Today’s Gospel is of three parables (again…PARABLES!) and it gives us two challenges. First, don’t write yourself off. Sin doesn’t anger God; it moves God’s compassion. So turn toward God…pray…go to confession…seek guidance from an adult that you trust. Let God’s compassion embrace you and your faults. That same compassion will help you start over.
Second, don’t write anyone else off. Each person has a talent that the world needs. Ask God to help you see the potential in people who seem to struggle with sin or failure. YOU can be God’s encouragement to them! Think about that – You, God’s encouragement and messenger – that’s who YOU are!
Have an awesome, COOLER week,