ARTICLE – The Parable of the Wise Landowner

November 18, 2024 by Pierre-Alain Giffard News, Recommended Texts

Once upon a time, there was a wealthy landowner who possessed many horses. His lands were vast, and his well was deep, providing abundant water for his entire herd. Each day, the stable hands led the horses to the well to drink, and the horses were strong and healthy.

But one day, the land began to change. The air grew hotter, and the rain became scarce. The once-lush pastures started to dry up, and the horses struggled to find water and nourishment. Some of the older horses grew weak and could no longer make the journey to the well as they once did. Meanwhile, wild horses began to wander into the fields—animals that did not know the landowner and had not learned to come to his well for water.

The stable hands, concerned, approached the landowner and said, ‘Master, the climate has changed, and our horses are growing weak. Some no longer come to the well as often, and these wild horses—how will we care for them?’

The landowner pondered and said, ‘The time when the horses came easily to the well is past. The land has changed, and we must change with it. It is no longer enough to wait for them to come. Some of my horses can no longer make the journey, and these wild horses will only come if invited. We must act.’

So, the landowner gathered his stable hands and said, ‘I will not only care for the horses that still come to the well. I will send you to seek out those who are tired and weak, to bring them water. As for the wild horses, you must go into the plains, beyond the fences, and gently guide them to the well. For even though they are wild, they too are thirsty, and the water I have is sufficient for all.’

The stable hands, perplexed, asked, ‘But Master, how will we find them? How will we make them drink?’

The landowner smiled and replied, ‘You will go with patience and wisdom. Some horses will drink if you bring them water. Others will need to be gently led, even if it takes time. As for the wild horses, some will resist, but do not be discouraged. Show them that the well’s water is good, and they will learn to trust you.’

Thus, the stable hands set out, not only to care for the horses that still came to the well but to find those who were lost, tired, or wild. They carried water to the farthest reaches of the fields and invited all to drink. And though the climate continued to change, the herd grew, for the landowner had not kept his well to himself but opened it to all who were thirsty, whether they knew him or not.

This story resonates with the current state of the Catholic Church in Canada, which faces the challenges of an aging and dwindling membership, as well as the presence of many who do not know Christ, whether they are long-time residents or new immigrants. The older horses, struggling to reach the well, represent the aging members of the Church who find it increasingly difficult to participate actively. The wild horses symbolize the many individuals in Canada who do not know Christ, highlighting the Church’s mission to reach out to them.

The landowner, a metaphor for the Church and it’s members, recognizes that traditional methods are no longer sufficient to meet the needs of the changing landscape. Just as the landowner sends his stable hands to seek out the weak and the wild, the Church must send its faithful members to actively engage with those who are spiritually thirsty but do not know where to find living water. This proactive and inclusive approach underscores the Church’s call to adapt to demographic and social changes, going beyond its walls to offer spiritual support and guidance.

By carrying the water of faith to the farthest reaches and inviting all to drink, the Church can continue to grow and meet the spiritual needs of both its current members and those who are new to the faith. This story serves as a poignant reminder that the Church’s mission is not confined to its existing church community but extends to all who are thirsty for spiritual nourishment, regardless of their background or familiarity with Christ.

Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work

Email: pierre.alain.giffard@gmail.com

Articles on evangelization and parish revitalization:

Prayers and Prayer Groups to Support the Evangelization Project

Learn more

DONATE for the Evangelization Project

Learn more

ARTICLE – Asking Each Day for the Grace to Help Someone

The love of neighbor lies at the heart of Christian life. In loving others, we respond to Jesus’ call: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Yet love, above all, is a grace. For this reason, we should daily seek the grace to help someone. Acts of
ARTICLE – The Parish as an Expression of God’s Love for the World

In the face of declining church attendance and a growing secularization, the Catholic Church is called to reimagine the role of the parish as a missionary outpost that expresses God’s boundless love for all people (Evangelii Gaudium, 28). The statistics are sobering with regular mass attendance plummeting, yet, this moment
ARTICLE – If no one speaks, no one will know

It is often said that “modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, or if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are also witnesses” (Saint Paul VI). This poses a fundamental question for Christians: are good works alone sufficient to fully bear witness to the

Ticket	Seats Available	Amount CAD	Select	Ticket Amount CAD	Total Amount CAD
				0	0
				0
				0