Three Parables from Luke- The Vision of Peter Steele SJ

Three parables from St Luke’s Gospel provide themes for sonnets composed by Australian Jesuit, the late Peter Steele (1939–2012) and are quoted here with permission: ‘Man on Donkey’ (Lk 10:25–37), ‘Prodigal’ (15:11–32), and ‘Lazarus at the Gate’ (16:19–31). In none of the three cases does the poet attempt to translate into verse the entire parable. His sonnets regularly take up only sections of the parables.

Beaten, still breathing, as awkward as a dog,
He swags across the donkey, unaware
Of who’s beside them, footsore in the slog
Uphill for shelter and a kind of care.