Daily Reflections- July 31, 2012

OF STORIES AND PARABLES

 

Storytelling sessions are “in” these days in children’s museums and libraries. They invite celebrities to read the stories. Modesty aside, I must have been a good storyteller in grade school. I was asked to represent my school in a storytelling contest. I remember myself so engrossed with mastering the Legend of Tuko. But that’s another story.

Jesus, apart from being the most eloquent preacher who ever lived in this world, is the greatest storyteller of all time. How can He captivate such huge crowds numbering thousands?

Jesus never lacked in dynamism. He was a man ahead of His age. He used parables and stories that are relevant to His listeners. They understood very well the culture of farming and sowing, of baking and shepherding sheep, or storing goods and burning the rejects.

And the Apostles would receive more. He would explain to them the meaning of the parables. He talked about their life and destiny. Jesus also talked about His life. In explaining to the Apostles the parable of the weeds, He referred to the sower as Himself, the Son of Man. The devil is the enemy who placed the weeds. The harvest is the end-time when the weeds will be thrown into the fiery furnace and the good harvest, the wheat, will be gathered by the angels.

The Apostles may have listened to Jesus’ explanation with the enthusiasm of little children. Jesus explained to them everything. He inspired them to seek God’s salvation by remaining the good seeds that they were, to soar high literally to the heavens and be one with God forever.

They listened to Him intently because they must also tell and retell the story of Jesus and everything that He preached. They would actually do it when the Lord has returned to the Father and they start building the Kingdom of God here on earth. Guided by the Holy Spirit, they did it with so much passion and dedication. They had Jesus, the greatest storyteller and explainer, as their inspiration. Fr. Erick Y. Santos, SFO

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you tell and retell the story of Jesus to others?

 

Lord, cleanse my heart that my mouth may speak about You and You alone.