September 20, 2015
Sunday

“Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:33-37

“What’s harder to overlook is that they are too afraid to ask any questions. Part of this, of course, may be Mark’s characteristic focus on the faults and failings of the disciples. But, then again, are we all that different? I know far too many Christians who are also often afraid to ask questions. Sometimes it’s because they believe they should already know the answer and they don’t want to look dumb. Sometimes it’s because our people are nervous that their question isn’t “okay,” that maybe there is something wrong with their question or, indeed, with questions in general.

Why is that? I have a hunch that, as a culture, we tend to equate intelligence with knowing things. I understand that to some degree. Smart people seem to know a lot of stuff. But what if we could also imagine that intelligence is measured not simply by what you know, but also by how eager you are to learn more. That is, it’s at the edges of what we know that there is the greatest chance to grow in understanding. Which is why questions are so important. Questions are not the mark of a lack of intelligence but of a curious and lively mind.” David Lose (Dear Working Preacher) The Value of a Good Question, September 16, 2012

One of the more curious observations I have made in my ten years of being a parish pastor is the inability of many people to ask questions about scripture, about faith, and about things that confuse them as they struggle to live out their faith. This has often confounded me. I have been trained (mostly from my Seminary Education) in the manner of asking many questions while teaching a bible study lesson. And so I may begin a bible study session by asking questions (rhetorical and not) — and then returning to them — and asking more questions throughout. So often when I ask these questions, I am presented with silence. Or, when I ask if there are any questions, I am again presented with silence. I know there are things that people either do not understand, or issues where people do not agree with me, and yet those remain unasked, and unstated.

As David Lose states, “Questions are so important.” Questions help us to grow in understanding, and help us to clarify that which confuses. Don’t be afraid to ask the questions, especially the really difficult ones. I guarantee you there are others who are in need of the same answers.

Pastor Dave