Jesus' deceptively simple stories have for centuries been a well of spiritual refreshment. But they have also been subject to widely varying interpretations. How can we understand the parables more clearly and weave into our lives the truth Jesus expresses in them? Joyce Huggett, in collaboration with Middle Eastern missionary and scholar Kenneth Bailey, uncovers layers of ancient peasant culture that can enlighten our understanding of the parables. Then she skillfully guides us through meditations on the significance and application of two of Jesus' most beloved stories - the parable of the sower and the seed, and the parable of the good Samaritan.
I've just read this book for the second time and have to admit, it's not what I remembered. It was far better! Perhaps I was "in the wrong place" or "not ready for it" last time. I've no idea. It provides an engaging encounter with Jesus and the stories he shares through parables, uses Ignatian practices for personal reflection, and offers some wonderful insights and teaching into the culture of that time.