Short Parables to Ponder

Spiritual meditations reflected in analogies

This site focuses on spiritual meditations written by author Marianne C. Sailus who has chosen the genre of short reflections, often reflected in analogies, to express scriptural truths. Her "parablettes," or short parables, are what comprise the meditations to which suggested scriptural passages relate.

Her various works recommend scriptural readings from a variety of sources. Some are from her Eastern Christian background (Unfinished Business ) and follow the daily Lenten readings of the Byzantine Church. Another Lenten work, Carrying Your Cross with Christ, is written for those who cannot follow traditional Lenten practices, due to illness, disability, or caring for a loved one in these circumstances. Paschal Ponderings is an examination of the Acts of the Apostles by St. Luke, arranged for the fifty days between Pascha (Easter Sunday) and the Feast of Pentecost. Other works (Java with Jesus, Cappuccino with Christ and Latte with the Lord), do not follow the daily readings from any particular Christian tradition, but rather were chosen by the author to support the theme for the day. Forty Steps to Bethlehem features Advent meditations. Tea with the Theotokos is a compilation of 62 meditations to Mary, the Mother of God, with suggested use for Marian months and feast days.

The author's most recent book is about forgiveness (Knock that Boulder Off Your Shoulder) and encompasses fifty-two steps, called "chips," that guide the reader in the quest for pardoning those who may have wronged them.

By using examples from daily living, the author guides the reader to relate these parablettes to common experiences. As her guide, she recalls the parables addressed by Jesus to His followers: "A certain man had two sons," or "A man went up to Jericho and was beaten by robbers." These stories related to the people of His day and time and truths about the Kingdom of God, God's love for His people, God's unfailing mercy, etc. In a similar way, the author has chosen historical events, experiences from her bedside ministry, and examples from nature, to name a few, to convey Biblical truths.