Meeting 2 — Searching for Questions¶
Introduction for the facilitator¶
The main part of this meeting is a workshop teaching how to ask questions. The workshop consists in treating the given texts as answers and trying to ask questions. The goal of this meeting is to awaken in participants a questioning look at the world and answers found in it. We want to draw attention to the fact that faith is dynamic, and some questions and answers during life are different. We seek understanding and experience of this dynamism, at the same time knowing that there are things that are invariably worth holding on to.
Questions in my life¶
Various contents in life arouse questions in us. Through asking questions we also seek truth and our own understanding, that is why questions constitute such an important part of our life.
When in my life did I discover the most questions?
When in my life did I discover the most answers?
What event, experience caused the discovery of a question?
Sharing questions is relationship-creating. It is them that we often share with loved ones and friends in the most intimate conversations. Questions often build our faith, because they “work” in us, have a certain kind of movement in them, by nature are indefinite. Often in this movement, we meet another person. In these moments we can meet with their questions and show them ours. This is one of the more important aspects of testimony given to each other. Sharing faith is also, and maybe even primarily, sharing one’s questions.
Note
“[…] faith enables me to enter this story [gospel] and agree to not only be delighted by it, but also process it, in this way the truth of this story reveals itself to me” T. Halik “Time of empty churches”
Questions as a way to experience¶
Finding answers is rarely a quick process. Often our questions generate further questions, but this builds our path to a living experience of faith.
Let us read:
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can this be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man.”
—Jn 3:1-13
Nicodemus asks Jesus questions and noticing that he does not understand the answer asks further. Finally Jesus explains to him that he will not fully understand what he asks about without EXPERIENCE. He clearly indicates that no one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. Jesus shows that sometimes, even possessing answers, we are not able to accept them due to lack of experience.
Therefore, in searching for experience and relationship with Christ, questions are indispensable to us. It is they that allow us not to stray from the path leading to experience. Sometimes however we must wait patiently for a change of perspective, to understand better, differently, anew.
To which of my questions do I find an answer in faith?
What is a living question in me now?
What issues do I try to understand, but they still remain a mystery to me?
What question leads me to a deeper relationship with Christ?
Haggadah as an answer to questions¶
Note
In this part the group receives their text of Haggadah and has the task to ask questions to which this text would be an answer.
Let’s look together for questions to which this fragment of Salvation History would be an answer. Just to be able to strive for the experience of faith.
Leaving space¶
Note
At the end of the meeting we will pray the prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola. It emphasizes the role of attachment primarily to the grace and love of God. In this context let’s talk about attachments in faith.
We have already talked about what questions we have, what they brought into our life. We tried to look at biblical contents with a questioning eye.
The freedom in asking questions is that questions allow us not to be excessively attached to answers. We need to recognize that we are in a continuous process, that what we have already discovered is still alive. If we cement our discoveries, they will weigh us down, on the other hand if we recognize their dynamism, we will be able to fully use their potential. Space remains for the continuous action of God.
Let us read:
Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
—Lk 21:14-15
To what am I attached in faith?
In what way does the dialogue between me and God change answers about faith that I found earlier?
Prayer¶
At the end let us pray together:Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,my memory, my understanding, and my entire will,All I have and call my own.You have given all to me.To you, Lord, I return it.Everything is yours; do with it what you will.Give me only your love and your grace,that is enough for me.– St. Ignatius of Loyola