The types of questions we ask - June 2
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 119:49-72; PM Psalm 49, [53]; Deut. 13:1-11; 2 Cor. 7:2-16; Luke 17:20-37
Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.’ (Luke 17:20-21)
Asking questions around timing can be dicey. “Is dinner ready?” may be received very differently than “What can I do to help with dinner?” Even in the mere posing of the query, the seeker is showing a bit of their bias or posture. By asking when the meal will be prepared, the speaker is voicing that they know food is in the future and they are waiting for it to arrive. Furthermore, their role is external to the process, rather than being involved in the production of the food.
As I think about the questions we pose to one another in conversation, when-oriented phrases elicit different responses than what-oriented ones - and the depth of understanding we take away varies by the type of query offered. For example, consider the questions, “When did Gene retire?” and “What brought about Gene’s retirement?” Generally, when-based questions are only slightly open-ended, as they ask about the dimension of time. Answers can be curt. Quick. Definitive. What-based questions can yield descriptions of circumstances and the one answering may give much more self-disclosure. The response may take the conversation down a pathway unexplored or expected, toward long ago reminiscing or into the wonder of what could be ahead. Answers may be unclear or rambling. Contrary to the transactional nature of when questions, what questions are relational. Trust and understanding can grow.
In Luke 17, we read about the Pharisees and Jesus again. The educated and pious elites ask the Son of God when the kingdom of God is coming. They know to anticipate the kingdom of God; do they know what to expect? How much more could these learned folks have taken away if they had asked what their roles could be in the kingdom of God? Or, what they need to know to live fully in the kingdom of God?
It is not an outlandish question to ask about timing, for the early Christians asked the same question. And yet, Jesus reminds the Pharisees, and all those who have heard this story, that the answer to this question is deeper and more challenging than a definitive time date stamp. He says, “For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among (or within) you.”
Wow! Jesus takes the Pharisees’ question and gives them a bigger answer than they could have imagined. The kingdom of God is in the here and now - if we will just feel it. The answer to this question stretches us in all of sensibilities - because living relationally in Christ is living among and with others. The kingdom of God is not just what we perceive in structures around us. It is what moves within us, connecting us to one another and God. And that makes the kingdom of God complicated and beautiful, messy and strong.
I do not have it all figured out. And, what feels exciting is living into the kingdom of God that is within and among us right now.
-- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
What types of questions are you more likely to ask? The yes/no type? Time-based? How/Why/What ones? What types of questions do you prefer to answer?
What does the kingdom of God feel like for you today?
Daily Challenge
Listen to the questions you ask others. Listen to how you answer others’ questions. Be attentive to asking questions that lean toward building relationship – for the kingdom of God is within and among us.