Among tales told long ago were those

of finding hidden buried treasures,

of growing seeds in diverse soils,

of building homes on sand or rock,

of sorting worthy sheep from wicked goats,

of inviting multitudes to a banquet,

of celebrating a prodigal returning home,

of saving a life by a scorned Samaritan.

Jesus loved earthly stories

with heavenly implications.

His parables were spiritual seeds

sown in hearers’ hearts and minds,

analogies thrown alongside

puzzling narrative plots,

poignant truths with shocking twists

and unexpected outcomes.

Deceptively simple, sly stories

with multiple potential meanings,

his parables perplexed expectations,

and upended usual understandings.

Even his bewildered disciples

pleaded for private interpretations.

During careful contemplation,

parables interrogate our lives.

Providing few easy answers,

parables compel us to ponder.