The parable in today’s gospel has many explanations. In it Jesus presents a lesson for his first disciples as well as for his disciples today. It is almost as if he is saying, “Everyone, no matter when they come to the faith, is equally precious to God." As Christ’s disciples today, we need to celebrate each new generation and culture that comes to the faith. If we are to be the evangelizing parish that God intends, we need to welcome all those who come to our parish, not excluding anyone with a different language or religious practice, but rather see them as “equally precious to God.”