Jesus was a master storyteller, and the synoptic Gospels contain over 30 of his parables. These stories have shaped language and culture, giving us phrases like “prodigal son” and “good Samaritan.” Many parables remain unexplained, compelling readers to reflect deeply on their meaning.

Understanding parables requires some guiding principles. They primarily reveal Jesus’ mission to usher in the Kingdom of God, and we should approach them with an open heart and mind. Jesus often said, “Whoever has ears, let them hear,” emphasizing the need for attentive listening.

When interpreting parables, we must avoid two extremes: glossing over them and missing the point, or over-analyzing every detail for hidden meanings. Instead, we should seek the main message Jesus intended, often highlighted at the story’s conclusion. In the coming months, let’s apply these principles and tools to uncover the richness of Jesus’ parables.

One of Jesus’ favourite ways of communicating with people was through parables. These short, relevant stories drew his audience in, elicited an evaluation & demanded a response. The parable of the sower speaks of 4 soils (hearts) that a seed was sown into. 3 of the 4 didn’t receive the seed well, & eventually it died. But one soil was free from obstacles & due to that, abundant fruit emerged. Should we think our hearts are one of these for all time? No! At any given time, our heart can be in any one of these 4 conditions. The main point of this parable is our receptivity to God’s Word. If we are not receiving God’s Word well we should evaluate our current condition & ask God to show us what might be causing us to be hardened, shallow or preoccupied. If our heart’s condition is freed up, we can be assured that when God’s Word lands in us, we will bring forth abundant fruit that’s aligned with God.