Thirty five years ago, I was taking a theology class from an enlightened and controversial Roman Catholic priest, The Rev. Ron Rolheiser. He told us of a little–known parable that involved a tree, the leaves of which were highly unusual. The sides of the leaves facing upward were so varied that they all looked like a different species. However, underneath they were essentially identical. Father Ron said the lesson was that while we humans all subscribed to different belief systems, deep down we were identical. He went on to talk about “Covert Christians,” those whose lives exemplified the precepts of a “true Christian.” Such people, Father Ron contended, would experience the same salvation as would a Catholic. That drove the nuns in the class into paroxysms of denial. My question: where is that parable written? I cannot find it in the Bible. Of course, given my advanced age, I may have dreamed the whole thing!

Dear Garry,

That parable may have been dreamed up by you or even by your Roman Catholic priest. I have never heard of it and it certainly does not come from the Bible. It teaches a lesson, however, that is both profound and true.

The purpose of a parable is to enlighten the listeners. If this parable does this for you then use it. It does not matter from whence it comes. Truth is our goal and we seek to give credit to our sources of truth but, if our sources are unknown, as they appear to be in this instance, then we simply pass the truth on.

My best.

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