And then, he spoke in parables again:
The Parable of the Smartphone and the Silence
A person clutched their phone every hour, seeking connection, praise, and news of the world.
But the voice of God was in the silence,
and the person had not heard silence in years.
And so the kingdom passed beside them —
as quiet as a breath.
The Parable of the Two Christians
Two Christians knelt to pray.
One said, “Thank you, Lord, that I am not like these sinners.”
The other said, “Lord, I have nothing to give you but my heart. Heal me.”
And heaven opened to the one who emptied themself—
so they could be filled.
The Parable of the Masked Prophet
A woman walked the streets in tattered clothes,
speaking kindness, feeding stray animals, and forgiving all who wronged her.
People laughed, dismissed her, called her mad.
But heaven called her daughter.
And when the veil of this world lifted,
many found she had sat at the gates of the kingdom all along.
The Parable of the Fireproof House
A man built a fireproof house—steel walls, thick doors, many alarms.
No harm could enter.
But no love could either.
And when the fire of loneliness came—not of flames, but of absence—
he had nothing but echoes in his perfect shelter.