Canadian Parable

1   And going on a little past Barrie, he began again to teach by the shore: and there was gathered unto him a multitude.

2   And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking his coffee:

3   Who, when he had rolled up the brim, found treasure therein, and went on his way rejoicing.

4   Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto those Mummers, who visit the homes of St John’s:

5   Though they disguise their semblance, verily I say unto you, they let their reasonableness be known to all men.

6   Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, the kingdom of heaven is like unto that Goal, which Paul Henderson scored in the eighth game against the Russians:

7   With the embrace of his teammate, he held aloft the hockey stick for joy.

8   And he said the kingdom of God is like la cabane à sucre, among the maples.

9   From an old recipe, it yields new treasures.

10   And again the kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of wheat, which a Ukrainian took and sowed under the Saskatchewan sky:

11   Though it fall on hard ground, the seed put forth first the blade, then the ear, then after that the full corn.

12   And he put forth another parable to the multitude: Behold, the Son of Man is like unto the Métis,

13   who, though they were later betrayed, received Selkirk settlers in the winter, kindled a fire, and shewed them kindness.

14   Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

15   And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, they were astonished. And the common people heard him gladly.

Text: Jeffrey Hynds

Photography: Joel Faber