Careful In Asking

Today’s Gospel Text: and coming to his own country he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said,"Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?" 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. Matt 13:54-58

Reflection: Was it Francis Bacon, the great English Philosopher who once said; “Who questions much, shall learn much, and retains much.”?

Were those in the Synagogue following the same rule as Francis Bacon’s when they asked these questions in astonishment:"Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?" (vs. 54-56)

I tell you, though there maybe an element of truth in what is said but we are not always wiser with questionings?

It depends on so many factors; whom you ask, where you ask, how you ask, when you ask, why you ask, etc.

It also depends on how you interpret the answer, which may be a truth, or a semi-truth or completely false information.

That interpretation will depend on your experiences of life and the consideration you give to other people’s opinion and perspectives on things.

To arrive at the truth is not as easy as the greats, like Socrates, made it appear. You cannot always arrive at the truth of things. Truth is not what we feel as right or what the majority think to be right or that which the text book or the scientific world will have us believe. All these may have an element of truth in what they say, each in proportion to the field.

But when it comes to God, you may ask a thousand questions and consult a million wise men but you can never arrive at the truth about God without his humble help and wisdom.

We can only know that he exist and that he is the causative factor but his attributes can only be known to him whom the Father chooses to reveal, if only they will allow him to do so in their lives.

Prayer: Lord, reveal yourself to me more and more each day that I may be your instrument to lead others too, to you.

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