One Posed Question

A quote from France Warde, American Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy and dear friend of Catherine McAuley's:

One question proposed with simplicity is often
the occasion of many instructions.

We would see that this often is the case; ask a simple question get more answer than you bargained for! But in Frances's case, I believe that what she was trying to say is to look at what is behind the question. People ask a simple question which then can lead to instruction.
She was an unconsummated teacher, always ready to stop and instruct people in the ways of God. Her forte seemed to be with adult learning of the faith. I think she would be delighted with our RCIA process.

I recall a parish visitation program that I work on a number of years ago. We were to simply visit the homes of the parishioners and had a list of ten questions to chat with them. It wasn't so much the questions as it was the connection of home to Church and that someone cared enough to stop to visit. The results were number of marriages cases, people returning to the practice of their faith, and a larger enrollment in the school-all because someone stopped by on a summer day.

Today, listen to the deeper part of the question? What is someone trying to really ask? What are you asking for in your questions? Is it recognition, assurance, importance, just facts, a social moment?

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