Today's Key Word is "Why?"

It is quite apparent over the last week in the various Gospel passages that people are constantly questioning Jesus. "Why do your disciples not fast?" or "Why does he eat with sinners?",  we hear over the last two days. "What is this a new teaching?" some proclaim in Mark's Gospel.

We are full of questions as well.  I hearken to my profession of teaching.  I always instruct my students to ask why about events and actions of people in history.  "Do not take what you read or hear for the absolute truth," I commonly instruct them in order to build their critical thinking skills.
As children and adults we question events especially if they are tragic. "Why did this happen to them or to me," we ask. Sometimes we don't want the real answer and other times we are questioning God.

So what if Jesus turned the tables and asked us why?  Why do you follow me? Why do you go church? What do you see in me? Is it faith that draws us to the unseen, is it the idea that a new order that can restore us from the insanity of our secular world, or maybe we are not sure at all.  For those of us who have experienced a new life in Christ it is not easily explained.

Perhaps if someone asked us why we are Catholic there could be a response, "I was brought up Catholic." However, in this day and age as Catholics we are asked why does the Catholic Church belief this or why do they celebrate that.  If we are true to our faith and at the same time realize we don't have all the answers then we look to our one constant, Jesus. In him we will find answers, some quickly, others over time.