The Favorite Parable Meme

Christine at The Simple and the Ordinary tagged me for this meme. The rules are simple and straightforward:

1. You name your five favorite parables
2. You tag one blogger per parable.
3. It would be nice if you linked back to this post.

I really enjoyed this meme because it caused me to do something I hadn't done for a while. What's that I did, you're wondering? Oh, you aren't wondering? Well, I might come back and read this myself sometime and find myself scratching my head, puzzling over what it was. It presented me with an invitation to sit and consider the parables for no other reason but that. And it was good. Here are my favorites:

1. The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15: 1-7) This parable holds a very special place in my heart. The image of Jesus, so overjoyed at His single lost sheep's return, hoisting it on His shoulders to carry it home is an integral part of my reversion to the Faith. Maybe someday, I'll share that story here...

2. The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13: 31-31) A biblical reminder of how there are no small parts only small actors.

3. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37) As a parent of children born in a different land and, myself, the ferenge in their homeland. This parable illustrates perfectly that charity and compassion are for all God's people.

4. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18: 9-14) Who among us doesn't need a daily reminder of our tendency to act more like the Pharisee and less like the Tax Collector? Except for me--because, hey, I pray the rosary, go to Mass (sometimes more than once a week), lead bible study, practice the works of mercy...(tongue inserted firmly in cheek here, in case you were wondering)

5. The Widow and the Unjust Judge (Luke 18: 1-8) - I don't think there is any topic more pertinent to a Christian life than that of perseverance. I've written about it before, but each year I grow more and more convicted that the Devil's greatest tool when it comes to snaring souls is to just wait for us to give up. This story reminds us that "failure is not an option". (Except for the Devil!)

I extend this invitation to consider the parables to everyone, but I'd love to hear the five favorites of Easter A., Anne, Cathy, Faith and Kelly.