Question

“Why is the sky blue?” It’s the stereotypical question that children ask adults. The child asks this question in a naively curious way. They are trying to find a frame work in which they can understand the world.

Have you ever noticed that the way adults answer the question is more of a ‘how’ than a ‘why?’ “Why is the sky blue?” The adult will usually give some sciency answer about reflection and the atmosphere, blah blah. But that is actually a mechanical answer, that is more how than why. That is presuming the adult wasn’t a coward like me. My favourite answer was, “I don’t know, ask your father.”

Why is the sky blue? That is how God made it. Why is that not a better answer? It may not be as complicated, but without the motivation to create and shape the world there would not be a sky. I have no idea why God chose blue. One day I will be able to ask him or maybe it won’t be relevant anymore. Who knows?

Perhaps a renewed wonder and desire to seek answers from God would be a way to refresh my spirit. I can approach the ‘why’ questions I have in my own life in a more naive and curious way too.

Matthew 18: 2-5 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.
And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children,
you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

Water into wine

My mom used to say that the story of Jesus turning water into wine was one of her favourite stories.

My mom loved it because Mary knew that being out of wine would embarrass the host. Mary not only knew that but she also knew that her son could fix it. She spoke to her son and he responded, “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” (John 2: 4) Most people would have taken this as a rebuff and gone away. Mary, acting in this moment as a mother, not a follower of Jesus, did not go away or get insulted. But instead, this is what the text records; “His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2: 5)

Mary asserted herself. She knew how to solve this problem. Jesus didn’t push it, he just complied. When you look at the story it really is a very tender interlude. The beauty of the relationship can get lost in the miracle. Don’t get me wrong the miracle is amazing and important. But there is this lovely little moment between a mother and her son.

Buried in the Bible are these wonderful gems. In these moments we can see the humanity. God understands us.