Stories are important in our lives. When we gather with family members and friends, we might often share a story that brings home a point. Grandparents might tell stories that point to a particular belief. They might be true or they might be somewhat fictitious. A thirty-five inch northern might only be a way to show that fishing is an important activity in the family. Grandchildren understand what is being said.
Jesus often told stories when he shared his beliefs about God’s goodness. He told stories about how his followers should act and what they should believe. Recently, in the gospel of Matthew, his disciples asked Jesus, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?” He told them that parables were a way to bring forth the truth about God. When they heard various parables the crowds began to understand the graciousness and mercy of God. They also began to understand that a relationship with this good and gracious God meant that they should behave in a particular way. In reading a commentary by the author Mary Ann Getty-Sullivan, I have found that the following might be true. “By their nature, parables are meant to involve hearers and challenge them to change their perspective, their hearts, and their behavior. The parables invite us to live in a new way, in a way worthy of the Gospel.”
Sullivan tells us that a parable is a comparison describing something new or unknown with something that is common. It delivers a twist which might seem strange. Finally, it invites us to think how we might respond to what we have heard.
Just recently we heard the parable of the Good Samaritan. The twist comes when we hear that the Samaritan is willing to help the person who has been robbed. Jews and Samaritans are for all practical purposes enemies and yet the Samaritan is able to care for the Jew completely. The question that Jesus hears from a scholar is how he is to gain eternal life. He is told to love God with his whole heart, mind and soul and his neighbor as himself. The scribe wants to know who his neighbor is. Jesus tells him through the parable of the Good Samaritan. After the telling of the story, he tells the scribe he is to act like the Samaritan, because that is his neighbor.
A simple story, a parable, and yet it reveals what God wants from us. We begin to understand and learn to live in the way of Jesus Christ.
– Helen Ackermann
Thank you, Helen, for your thoughts. Each life is a story. In my years on the staff at St. Anthony’s, I had the privilege of sitting in my office listening to many, many stories. It is a privilege to be able to tell one’s story if someone is willing to listen. And it is always a privilege to listen. We could each echo the words of Jesus: “ The kingdom of heaven is like my life….”
Helen, thank you for your insights, I see you still have it, blessings, Sr. Rose Grabowski
Helen, your message about stories being told is so encouraging, and hopefully many persons discover the importance in their lives.
Thank you Helen,
My favorite class in the Spiritual Direction program was redemptive listening. It is a lifelong journey on how to become a deep listener. But I have been blessed by the many people that I sit with and embracing their sacred stories. Thank you for this reflection.