Today's Meditation

Matthew 22:41-46. No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Have you ever been around children who ask questions incessantly? The initial question is followed by “Why?” or “Why not?” or “How come?” There is no end unless you are prepared and have an answer or a tactic to highjack the process and break the chain.

In the scenario in today’s gospel, Jesus has asked a question and no one seems able to provide an answer. They are so stumped that they never ask another question again, ever.

I can’t help but think of how powerful that moment must have been for everyone present. Moments like that stay with you for a very long time, sometimes forever. Often these are moments when you know you are in the presence of the Holy.

I have been in this kind of situation. I did not leave feeling restricted in any way. What I do know about that moment is that it is like a video running in my head, even as I write this down. I left that place knowing, and there was no need for further questions. All I had wondered about had been explained.

PRAY for the Diocese of Chennai (South India) http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/diocese.cfm?Idind=486

Ps 119:97-120; Leviticus 26:27-42; Ephesians 1:1-10 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=202236048

View the daily Lectionary Readings at the Satucket Lectionary website http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/May12.htm

Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com or Oremus Bible browser.

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Knowing

May 16, 2012 at 5:16 am

Written by Linda,

It occurs to me that the ability to hear God speaking requires one to be open to it... Asking, seeking, knocking, as we read a few days ago. I have been blessed to feel a powerful sense of God's presence with an answer at least 4 times in my life. One of those times I was quite angry, and when I received an unexpected answer I was not ready to give up control to accept it. Later, still seeking, God's amazing peace finally broke through as my heart was open to receive and accept the answer. The Pharisees in today's reading seem to be be seeking their own legitimacy and authority and control. There was Christ right in front of them, and they missed it because their hardened hearts were not humble enough to be truly seeking a closer relationship with God. It makes me wonder if some of them DID have
humble, seeking hearts and received the truth when they heard it and knew they were hearing it from the Messiah. That would have been an overwhelming joy with peace!

...

May 16, 2012 at 6:17 am

Written by Gail J in N.C.,

The gospels show several times when Jesus gives blazing brilliant responses that stun (and silence) those around him.
Such as "render unto Caesar . . . "

I've wondered if it was a combination of the words AND his delivery that provide the effect.

As many times as I've read and studied the gospels I keep re-reading to hear his voice - was it angry, was it sad, was it loving, was it accompanied by a twinkle in his eye, was it loud, was it soft - at any particular dialogue.

Stunning!

...

May 16, 2012 at 8:28 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

Thank you Gail, for telling me to hear for His voice, rather than just reading the words.

...

May 16, 2012 at 8:30 am

Written by Mary C.,

Gail, I'm sure you're right in thinking it was a combination of the words and the delivery. Hearing the same words from someone else might have had little effect, but no doubt the way Jesus said them provoked an awkward gulp and a little "Oh" from his questioners.Ptaxch