I had never heard of tying the three parables together, but immediately I had the following thoughts. The Prodigal Son represents perfect contrition and mercy fully received - Heaven. The Shrewd Servant represents attrition since he loses his job but receives some praise - Purgatory. (Also, the church fathers noted in relation to that parable how we should pray for their souls so they act on our behalf.) The Rich Man represents natural sorrow since he only cares about getting out of punishment - Hell. It could be, ultimately, a discourse on confession and working on sanctity.
I wish you'd send transcripts. I *really* dislike watching videos. I'm more than a little odd, but I'd like to think I'm not the only person who feels this way.
With regards to the comment made in this week's Podcast regarding the difference between Goats and Sheep in the Bible, I did this podcast several years ago: https://coachmahr.com/goats-and-sheep/
I audibly gasped when he said sheep and goats would have been indistinguishable! I may be biased as an artist who works almost exclusively with wool, but sheep are different than goats in many ways, most of which because of their wool. I recently asked a shepherd friend of mine about why sheep would be separated from goats and she made the similar claim as your article that goats are absolute bullies and total menaces to a flock of sheep. The sheep's wool, however, is definitively something that sets them apart from goats. They wouldn't be equal to goats in their commercial value because of their reoccuring supply of wool, year after year. In an ancient society, where every single piece of cloth was handspun, handwoven, and handsewn, the wool supply was of utmost importance and value. This is one of the reasons why the Lord is particularly the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God. The honor and dignity brought to humanity through the wool in Christ is at the heart of what I do, so I always want to shine a light on it whenever possible.
PS - I'm a huge, huge fan of the podcast! I'd love to hear more from Scott on this subject.
With regard to the matter of the rich man possibly showing concern towards his brothers, the Dialogue of St Catherine of Siena dealt with this very issue. In no. 32 of the Dialogue, God the Father told St Catherine that the rich man was not showing love for his brothers; rather his concern was that his own pain would increase if his brothers were also damned.
Looking forward to another episode! At least on YouTube Music, including the YT Video in the post supersedes the normal thumbnail 😂😂
I had never heard of tying the three parables together, but immediately I had the following thoughts. The Prodigal Son represents perfect contrition and mercy fully received - Heaven. The Shrewd Servant represents attrition since he loses his job but receives some praise - Purgatory. (Also, the church fathers noted in relation to that parable how we should pray for their souls so they act on our behalf.) The Rich Man represents natural sorrow since he only cares about getting out of punishment - Hell. It could be, ultimately, a discourse on confession and working on sanctity.
I wish you'd send transcripts. I *really* dislike watching videos. I'm more than a little odd, but I'd like to think I'm not the only person who feels this way.
Bah, humbug 🙂
I should have added that my aversion is to both videos and podcasts.
For what it's worth. Bah, humbug II 🙂
It looks like you can click “transcript” above to see the podcast in written form. I’m listening from the website itself.
Thanks much, Teresa. In my righteous miff, I completely overlooked it. Forty lashes.
I've never heard an explanation why Jesus gives this character the same name as his dear friend who DOES end up dying later on.
With regards to the comment made in this week's Podcast regarding the difference between Goats and Sheep in the Bible, I did this podcast several years ago: https://coachmahr.com/goats-and-sheep/
I thought someone might enjoy the reading.
I audibly gasped when he said sheep and goats would have been indistinguishable! I may be biased as an artist who works almost exclusively with wool, but sheep are different than goats in many ways, most of which because of their wool. I recently asked a shepherd friend of mine about why sheep would be separated from goats and she made the similar claim as your article that goats are absolute bullies and total menaces to a flock of sheep. The sheep's wool, however, is definitively something that sets them apart from goats. They wouldn't be equal to goats in their commercial value because of their reoccuring supply of wool, year after year. In an ancient society, where every single piece of cloth was handspun, handwoven, and handsewn, the wool supply was of utmost importance and value. This is one of the reasons why the Lord is particularly the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God. The honor and dignity brought to humanity through the wool in Christ is at the heart of what I do, so I always want to shine a light on it whenever possible.
PS - I'm a huge, huge fan of the podcast! I'd love to hear more from Scott on this subject.
With regard to the matter of the rich man possibly showing concern towards his brothers, the Dialogue of St Catherine of Siena dealt with this very issue. In no. 32 of the Dialogue, God the Father told St Catherine that the rich man was not showing love for his brothers; rather his concern was that his own pain would increase if his brothers were also damned.