What Are Parables?

Are parables figurative language? Yes ... parables use literary devices such as similies, and metaphors in order to convey their meaning. The word itself comes from the Greek meaning “comparison".

A parable is more akin to a metaphor because it uses specific and definite situations to demonstrate abstract concepts. A parable is a metaphor that is a little bit longer to form a brief, coherent narrative. Both parables and metaphors have hidden meanings. A parable however is lengthy and uses a story to convey a deeper message. Metaphors are typically shorter.

Parables are also much like similes. The meaning is implied even though they were not voiced out loud. Even though the purpose of parables was left unsaid, their meaning is well understood anyway. Even though they were not explicitly stated ... it was implied indirectly though not articulated in words. However, their meanings are nevertheless relatively obvious and evident.

A parable is a short story that teaches a moral principle and a spiritual lesson. The parables in the Bible taught by Jesus are classic examples. An example of parables that are not extracted from the Holy Book is the story of the "Boy Who Cried Wolf" where the mischievous lead character plays a prankster who tricks and jokes about a wolf coming ... and when the real wolf appeared from nowhere and nobody listened ... that resulted in chaos and panic in the village.

Another popular parable that has no religious and biblical undertones is the story of Jack and Jill. And the moral lesson of their story is to remind kids not to wander away from home. Their story was told to young children to try and prevent them from going out alone after dark.

Parables should not be confused or used interchangeably as "fables" or allegory which are in themselves a tale that teaches moral lessons at the end. The characters in the parable are people ... whereas the fable's main and central protagonists are animals, plants, or inanimate objects. The best example of a fable is "The Tortoise and the Hare" which were animals. And the moral of its story is ... he who is slow but sure ... wins the race (the slow tortoise beating the fast but inattentive and preoccupied rabbit.)

Allegory on the other hand is a work of art that has hidden meaning to it ... usually with moral importance. It has a surface story and a hidden story.  One good example is The Sneetches ... which is an allegory for racism and other forms of prejudice. The story is all about star-bellied sneetches who treated non star-bellied creatures as inferior.

This book by Dr. Seuss helps children see how absurd and foolish it is to judge people by their appearance rather than by their character. "Sneetches" encourages the reader to be fair and treat practically everybody in an impartial way possible. Like all of Dr. Seuss's stories, the story was written in a playful manner so it can easily be understood by children, but it still contains an important political message for us to learn.

The Parable of The Sower

(Matthew 13:1-9)That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, 

1. some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 

2. Some fell on rocky places, where they did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no roots.

3. Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.

4 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

Parable of The Sower: What It Means

When the parable of the sower was discussed in the homily last Sunday, I was asking myself how many of those attending the mass were really listening? Were they concentrating on the sermon ... or was it another case of "somebody being physically present in the mass ... but mentally absent" ... because she was more focused on what to prepare for breakfast when she gets home ... before her daughter woke up.

Sadly the parable is more about someone's faith ... or how the message of the homily is being received by people. Jesus was using the parable to possibly challenge their thought processes ... “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. "

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed that was sown along the road and the birds came and eat them. They are the people who do not understand the gospel and do not accept Jesus as their Saviour.

The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since the seeds have no roots, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes ... their faith is in question as they quickly fall away. They believe the gospel, however, they soon forget the message.  And when difficulties arise in their life, they lost their faith and easily surrender.

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. The lure of riches... fame ... and power was their penultimate concern and it is difficult for them to give up these pleasures They are not fruitful because they don't have time to share the gospel and are unable to spread the good news.

But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. They are diligent in putting God first. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.