Over the past year, all of us have had to change how we journey through our lives. As much as it is true for us, I believe that late-night t.v. hosts have had to be very inventive with their opening monologues, guest interviews the creation of new skits and routines to capture an audience and to keep the audience engaged.
Stephen Colbert, whose show is on CBS came up with a 15 item questionnaire that he asks many guests. I have included the link in this week’s Puzzler’s Corner if you are interested in answering the questions. https://thecolbertquestionert.com/#questions
It has been fun to watch a variety of actors ponder each question. Some answers, like “Apples or oranges?” are easy. Others take longer to consider. My favorite is: “You get one song to listen to for the rest of your life: what is it?” I’ve seen Steven ask the questionnaire since last December, and I’m still trying to figure out which song I’d like to listen to over and over and over. I am very fond of God on High from Les Miserables. There are also a few Gospel songs that I listen to regularly that would be on the list. Someone Asked a Question and You’re the Reason Why I Sing are also favorites.
Over the last several months, I have reflected on Stephen’s final statement each time he shares the list of questions with a guest. As novel as his list of questions is, I can’t help but observe that it took Stephen 15 questions to arrive at the fact that we are known.
According to Jeremiah Chapter 1, our Lord knew us before we were formed in the womb. God will never ask us 15 questions to determine that we are known. I believe that our Lord will only ask one question of each of us. Jesus asked Peter the question three times. “Do you love me?”
It is a very simple question for us. And yet, each one of us answers the question in numerous ways as we seek to declare how much we love our Lord and our God. Our verbal response may be the same as Peter’s: “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus then invites Peter and the other disciples to feed our Lord’s flock. As we begin to put the pieces of our pre-Covid lives back together, may we do so with love. May we respond to our Lord’s question with new excitement and a renewed dedication. We have always been known by the Lord who is shaping and molding us for continuing God’s mission and ministry in the world. And Amen.