Living the Way of Christ means possessing a good, healthful disposition of heart that produces good, virtuous action. Read these five parables carefully, learn their meaning for your life, and strive to put them into practice:
1) The Parable of the Publican and Pharisee (Luke 18.9-14)
What does this parable teach you about pride and judgment as well as humility and repentance? What does it teach you about God, prayer, and mercy?
2) The Parable of the Sower (Luke 8.4-15)
Are you eagerly receptive to the Truth and humbly teachable or hard-hearted and unteachable, unable to grow to maturity? You choose the kind of soil your heart shall be. Which kind of soil describes the disposition of your heart? What does this parable teach you with regard to how the condition of your heart affects both the health of your soul inwardly and also your outward actions?
3) The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15.11-32)
What does this story teach you about God and His love for us? (The Father did not love the son only when he returned, but the Father always loved the son.) What does the story teach you about sin and the effects of your sin? (Who created the distance between the Father and his son?) What does this teach you about the steps of repentance toward restoration? How does the reaction of the other brother also offer you a lesson?
4) Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
What does this teach you about true love? Why must you love God first and best above all others? (If you do not love God wholly and above all, you cannot love all others fully.) Remember that this parable is also an image of the Church. What does this teach you about the benefit of the Church for you and everyone else?
5) The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7.21-27)
What does this teach you about the the necessity of obedience?
6) The Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21.28-32)
What does this teach you about repentance with regard to obedience and disobedience?
(7 & 8) The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearls (Matthew 13.44-46)
Where does this teach you place of the Way of Christ in your life, considering all your competing priorities and distractions?
Text copyright © 2017-2021 by Fr. Symeon D. S. Kees