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No one dared to ask him any question.
March 13, 2026
Hosea 14:1-9| Mark 12:28-34 | Psalm 81:8-14
In today’s reading from Mark, we find religious scholars once again challenging Jesus. A scribe asks, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus responds, “…you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…soul…mind…and strength…You shall love your neighbor as yourself…” The scribe replies, “You are right, Teacher…this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Jesus responds, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” “After that no one dared to ask him any question.”
Why? Why did no one dare ask further questions? Did they think there was nothing more that could be said? Were they afraid of questioning authority? Were they afraid they would be mocked for sounding silly or stupid or arrogant? Were they afraid the answer to another question would challenge their beliefs or their knowledge?
It is probably obvious that I cannot imagine a life or a world without questions; most of my blogs seem to be questions. Without questions there would be no learning, no progress, no discoveries, no challenges, no growth. We would lose curiosity, empathy, knowledge, and indeed freedom. We would be living in the bubbles in which we have encapsulated ourselves.
What happens when we stop asking questions? Do we need definitive answers? Can we live with ambiguity or uncertainty? Side note: Be careful of where you look for answers.
Some questions that occurred to me from the reading that are related to the message of the Gospel:
How do children who grow up hearing only criticism and do not develop a positive sense of self learn to love their neighbors?
How do children who are bullied learn to love their neighbors?
How do children who grow up with no boundaries and do not learn respect for others learn to love their neighbors?
How do children who grow up believing that winning is the only option learn to love their neighbors?
How do people who have been victimized learn to love their neighbors?
How do narcissists with love only for themselves learn to love their neighbors?
There are many examples of people who have learned to love in spite of these challenges, but also many examples of people who have not.
I am putting the finishing touches on this blog as we dig out from our “historic” 2026 blizzard. The news following this storm and other storms, disasters, wars and heartbreaks is filled with examples of neighbors caring for others. My wonderful neighbors have checked on me and cleared my driveway and walkways after every snowfall for the 19 years I have lived in this house. The message lives! What would it be if the message lived for everyone?
I suppose that is the eternal question.
Sally House
