IS  LIFE  A  QUESTION 

AND ANSWER  PERIOD? 

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 29 Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, is, “Is Life a Question and Answer Period?”

That’s a question.

That’s one of my life questions?

I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot of my time figuring – questioning – wondering about a lot of stuff. 

Does everyone do that?

Is that why people check out the news, read the papers, and ask, “What’s new?” “What’s happening?” “What’s up?”

Why do people – who pick up the papers – pick up the papers?

This is a test:  if you pick up the papers in the morning - what is the first section you check out: comic strips, obits, sports section, local news, world news, crossword puzzle, horoscope, stock market? Sales? Employment – Help Wanted?

What does our answer tell us about ourselves?

If people don’t read the papers – are they doing any of that – any other way?

That’s a lot of questions?

What’s normal? What’s healthy? What’s everyone?  Oops, more questions.

“Is Life a Question and Answer Period?”

TODAY’S GOSPEL

Today’s gospel - Matthew 22: 15-21 -  triggered this topic for me.

The Pharisees and the Herodians question Jesus about religion and politics – today using the question of taxes.

The Pharisees and the Herodians argued with each other a lot – over lots of issues – but in today’s gospel both joined up with each other to try to trap Jesus into an argument.

The Pharisees were ultra-religious and they didn’t want any images on their coins. The Herodians were in league with Herod and the Romans and the powers that be and they didn’t disagree with Caesar’s image on their coins.

Jesus doesn’t get into their argument. Notice, however, he does in other gospel scenes. At times Jesus starts arguments. He questions the Pharisees as well as the Scribes  - those who could write, those with the education. 

How do you see the gospels? 

How do you see Jesus?

What does what we spot - tell us about ourselves?

Is a relationship with God a question and answer period – or is it a banquet – a meal – good bread – good wine?

Is life an argument with God – or a love affair with God?

Is life an argument with others – you’re wrong – I’m right – or a love affair with each other?

Is life a debate or a discernment?

How do we see life?

In a given day – how many questions do we ask?

Are some people more questions? Are some people all answers? Are some people somewhere else?

What are your thoughts and experiences about questions and answers - arguments and arguing?

How do you see life?

TYPES OF PEOPLE

Are there people who ask too many questions?

Is this sermon PITA stuff?

Is there anything wrong with the Rabbi – who when asked, “How come you are always asking questions?” – answered by asking, “Why not?”

Then there are people who seem to be arguing an awful lot – and it’s awful.

Are there two types of people: those who argue a lot and those who avoid arguments?

And do those who avoid arguments avoid those who argue a lot?

Are there two types of people: those who need to be right – and those who see nuances – other points of view – and allow others to see things differently than the way they see?

How well does a marriage between an arguer and a non-arguer work?

How well does a marriage between two arguers work?

How well does a marriage between two people who never argue work?

Why do some people argue more than other people?

Do some people think they won an argument because the other person has become silent?

HOW DO YOU SEE THEOLOGY AND RELIGION?

There has been a lot of press on the Synod in Rome.

There have been points and counterpoints.

I’m reading that the pope and others say the Church needs to take on a listening mode.

Is the church healthier – different – better – worse – if the stress is on love and mercy – more than truth – and being right?

Is the church called to be the teaching Church – more than the serving, loving church - listening?

Is the church’s job to correct nuns and women who are theologians – or men who are theologians – or is the job to say, “Nice going. Thanks for exploring – helping us to get our hearts and minds on what life is all about a little bit more?"

I remember attending a series of theology talks once – in which the speaker – saw everyday life as a battle.  One can find that image, that metaphor, in the scriptures. And those are the texts he chose for his talks.

As I listened to him – I realized this was not me.

As I listened to him – I realized people are different than me. They see differently. They think differently. They do a lot more arguing than me.

There is a difference between sand paper and tissue paper.

What’s your take on the saying: “You catch more flies with a spoonful of honey than with a barrel of vinegar”?

Is the purpose of life to catch others and move them over to our side of the board?

Is the purpose of Church truth or love? Do differences happen if one stresses one over the other?

Is God more ear and eye than mouth?

Is the pope, church, parents called to be teachers or to be shepherds?

Is the present pope more into listening than giving answers? Is that what he said when he called this latest synod – this big meeting in Rome? Did he see this meeting as a family gathering around a table. Do others see it as a boxing ring or courtroom or legislation session?

If one answers these questions – does one fall into the argument trap?

Is this whole sermon an argument against arguing?

Do you agree with Gracie Allen’s message: “Never put a period where God has put a comma?”

CONCLUSION

Several times in the gospel – like today’s gospel – Jesus avoids the trap question.

Is that a good idea for all of us -  sometimes to just listen.

In the late 1960’s I was at a power breakfast in a big New York Hotel. The topic was the question of youth drug problems in New York State.  Nelson Rockefeller gave a big speech. I don’t remember a word he said. What I remembered the most was the question and answer period. Someone stood up and asked him a question. And he said, “Are you crazy? I’m not going to answer that.” Then he said, “Next question?”

All laughed.

From that I learned to do just that in lots and lots of question and answer periods that I was in with groups and one to one’s in my life?

How about you?

Are you all questions? Are questions enough for you? Do you want answers? Are you mainly a listener? 

Or are you somewhere else – because you don’t see life as a Question and Answer period.