The Merry Monk

“Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks. Also learn from holy books and wise people. Everything – even mountains, rivers, plants and trees – should be your teacher.” – Morihei Ueshiba (Founder of Aikido)

In my first Watching Words post, Cymatics and the Voice of God, I introduced the idea of hearing God by paying attention to reality. The idea behind this idea is that, in the Biblical narrative of creation God said, “Let there be…”, and there it was. So, we’re essentially God’s words walking around in God’s words. All of creation is something he said, and if you want to hear his voice, watch his words.

In this post, I’d like to throw out the idea that many of Jesus’ parables reveal that watching words was one of the ways he heard from our Father.

For instance, I’ve been taught that in the parable about the sower of seed in Matthew 13, when Jesus says, “Behold, a sower…” he’s saying, “Hey guys, look at that sower that went out to sow.” Rather than asking his audience to think about a hypothetical sower, Jesus is pointing to a particular sower. In essence, he’s getting a message from our Father by looking at what’s going on around him and he’s sharing that message with his followers.

Maybe some of the parables are amalgamations of people and events Jesus encountered. I’m sure some are stories Jesus made up to make a point, but even then, he meditated on how to convey heavenly truths using earthly experiences. He was paying attention to creation…to the things God “said.”

Check out some of the parables below. See if you can imagine Jesus going away to a quiet place to be alone with the Father to sit in intimate silence, to watch and wait for God to speak through what he sees. Imagine him walking through busy streets and quiet countrysides watching God’s words. Imagine him sitting on the shore watching fishermen and their nets speak the word of God.

Then when you’re done reading some parables, imagine doing the very same thing yourself.

1. Drawing in the Net – Matthew 13:47–50
2. Laborers in the Vineyard – Matthew 20:1–16
3. Lost Money – Luke 15:8–10
4. The Faithful Servant – Luke 12:35–48
5. The Good Samaritan – Luke 10:30–37
6. The Seed Growing Secretly – Mark 4:26–29
7. The Lost Sheep – Matthew 18:12–14, Luke 15:1–7
8. The Mustard Seed – Matthew 13:31–32, Mark 4:30–32, Luke 13:18–19
9. The Pearl – Matthew 13:45–46
10. The Prodigal Son – Luke 15:11–32
11. The Sower – Matthew 13:3–23, Mark 4:1–20, Luke 8:5–15
12. The Wedding Feast – Matthew 22:1–14, Luke 14:16–24
13. Pharisee and the Publican – Luke 18:9–14
14. Ten Talents – Matthew 25:14–30, Luke 19:11–27
15. The Budding Tree – Matthew 24:32–36, Mark 13:28–32, Luke 21:29–33
16. The Friend at Night – Luke 11:5–8
17. The Hidden Treasure – Matthew 13:44
18. The Importunate Widow – Luke 18:1–8
19. The Leaven – Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:20–21
20. The Master and Servant – Luke 17:7–10
21. The Rich Fool – Luke 12:16–21
22. The Rich Man and the Beggar Lazarus – Luke 16:19–31
23. The Tares – Matthew 13:24–30
24. The Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1–13
25. The Two Debtors – Luke 7:41–47
26. The Two Sons – Matthew 21:28–32
27. The Unjust Steward – Luke 16:1–9
28. The Wicked Tenants – Matthew 21:33–46, Mark 12:1–12, Luke 20:9–19
29. The Wise and the Foolish Builders – Matthew 7:24–27
30. Unmerciful Servant – Matthew 18:23–35
31. Building a Tower – Luke 14:28–33
32. The Barren Fig Tree – Luke 13:6–9
33. The Guests – Luke 14:7–15
34. The Lilies of the Field – Matthew 6:28-30

I have some pictures of something I believe God said to me. When I get some time I’ll post them along with my meditation on their meaning. I’ll also open up the site to you if you’d like to watch words with me and share your thoughts.