This post is the third post, in a series of five concerning parables. For the most part, these posts contain excerpts from the third chapter (A Parable Prayer) in my book A Catholic Prays Scripture – Volume 4: concerning God’s “word” and the “future.” The first post in this series was posted on May 17, 2026.
My Assignment
Write a modern-day parable about the Kingdom of God. Begin it simply with the words "The Kingdom of God is like . . . (Before you write, recall what a parable is; why it is told; how it makes its point. … Do not explain your parable; let your reader do that!).
After reading Mark 4:1 - 8:21, I was challenged by the writing assignment noted above. The workbook authors apparently felt that one way to learn about parables was to attempt to write one. I am not sure whether the parables that I eventually wrote met the "modern-day" criteria, as my parables were written to slip into Mark's gospel – right after the two "multiplication of loaves and fishes" accounts (in 6:31-44 and 8:1-10). On the other hand, sausage recipes are still relevant today.
Two Multiplication Accounts
I had never noticed or had long forgotten that there are two "multiplication" accounts in Mark (and in Matthew, with single accounts in Luke and John). It appears, from the passages noted above, that Jesus was faced with large hungry crowds on (at least) two occasions that required some extraordinary action on his part. The two accounts are very similar but not identical (e.g., 5000 men fed in Chapter 6, whereas 4000 men were fed in Chapter 8).
Another thing that I had failed to note previously, when I read the gospel of Mark, was how often Jesus moved about. I hadn’t paid a lot of attention as to what town or district Jesus was in as he taught or performed miracles. As I was studying Mark this time, however, it was brought to my attention how Jesus was frequently bouncing back and forth on his boat between the western side of the Sea of Galilee (with its Sadducees and Pharisees) and the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee (with its Gentiles).
When you note this movement, it starts to become clear that Jesus, from the get-go, was interested in the salvation of the Gentiles. This was not an after-the-fact reaction to being persecuted by the Jewish authorities. On the contrary, the persecution of Jesus was in part related to Jesus' proactive interactions with the Gentiles.
The Jewish Version: If you pay a little more attention to the geography details in Mark, you will note that the "multiplication" account in 6:31-44 occurred on the western side of the Sea of Galilee and involved the Jews. Note the wording in Mark 6:40 ("The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties") and its similarity to the groupings of the Israelites camped in the desert (as described in Exodus 18).
The Gentile Version: In contrast, the "multiplication" account described in Mark 8:1-10 took place on the Gentile side of the Sea of Galilee.
Significance: The two "multiplication" accounts are significant from a salvation perspective. Jesus was extending his mission of salvation to both the Jews and the Gentiles from the start. The offer was made in person and on their turf and it was made at roughly the same time to both the Jews and to the Gentiles.
Back to My Assignment
But I have digressed. As regards my parable assignment, if Jesus had the opportunity to teach 5000 Jews on one day and 4000 Gentiles on another about the kingdom of God, he would most likely have spoken one or more parables. That was his style – that was a teaching method that he liked to use.
If I had been a ghostwriter for Jesus at the time, I might have submitted the two parables recorded below for his consideration. They, like the "multiplication" accounts, are similar but they are also tweaked a little bit for their respective audiences.
Both parables comply with the assignment in that they begin, "The Kingdom of God is like a …". I will continue to comply with the assignment by resisting the urge to explain what the parable means. You can figure it out. You can do the parable comparisons and determine what is comparable between the parables.
I learned some things about parables and sausages as I wrote the two parables below and had a little fun with the question. I apologize if either or both the parables offend anyone. My intent was not to make fun of anyone's dietary issues but to note that "all types … make up the kingdom of God."
The Parable of the Jewish Sausage (NOT Mk 6:45-47)
After the five thousand men ate and the twelve wicker baskets of fragments were recovered; Jesus spoke, "The Kingdom of God is like a sausage – a mixture of some of the best and worst parts from the lamb, a variety of sweet and bitter spices and the salt of the earth. While the sausage must be aged per the master's recipe, the butcher has some latitude on how the sausage is mixed and packed. Hear this! My sausage is much tastier than the manna your ancestors grumbled about."
The Parable of the Gentile Sausage (NOT Mk 8:9-11)
After the four thousand men ate and the seven baskets of leftovers were gathered, Jesus again spoke about sausages. "The Kingdom of God is like a sausage – a mixture of the best and worst swine parts, a variety of sweet and bitter spices and the salt of the earth. While some will eat only "all beef" or "all lamb" sausages, all types of sausage make up the Kingdom of God. No tastes are too foreign. Hear this! Many are amazed at and revolted by the ingredients that go into my sausage."