Curiosity

 

 

 

I had a difficult time expressing 'curiosity', so I decided to look it up.  Curious means "eager to learn or know, inquisitive", also "arousing or exciting speculation, interest, or attention through being inexplicable or highly unusual; odd; strange" (dictionary.com). 

 

We are naturally curious, but our curiosity is sparked by different things.  I am much more eager to learn new skills in baking, or even with electronics or mechanics than in say, plumbing (not to say that is lesser- thank you God for plumbers!)  The same is true of the faith, and there are limitless 'curiosities' in the revelation of God.  It might be Scripture, a particular teaching, the mystery and beauty of the liturgy that draws someone in, or sacramentals like rosaries or statues.  For example, My husband and I took my niece once to Divine Liturgy (Byzantine Rite) and talk about a picture of 'curiosity'- at the age of two, she sat with me the whole time just LOOKING at everything, with wide eyes, and thumb in mouth.  So, I took the opportunity, this time to quietly point out and identify a few things for her.

 

 

Nothing is quite so curious as Jesus.  Historically speaking, he should really not have been more than (perhaps) a blip on the timeline.  Born to a poor family, he worked as a carpenter and taught publicly for just three years before being killed by crucifixion (pretty much the worst form of death in existence) as a criminal, for blasphemy.  Why? He claimed to be the Son of God, the 'King of the Jews'.  And yet, today, Christianity is the world's largest religion, with 2.2 billion followers, 50% of which are Catholic.  In other words, love him or not, Jesus is not someone who can be ignored.  I think Fr. Barron said it well, "He either is who he says... or he's a madman!"  Jesus asked his followers "Who do you say that I am?" Well... that's pretty much the question we want to spark... "who is Jesus"?     

 

We have to be able to answer this question for ourselves first.  Then, as we do with any great friend, we talk about Him- we share his story, and 'our story'.  We post pictures and stories, quotes and good times had with any of our friends and family all the time on Facebook.  Kind of the same idea, if Jesus is a friend, like any relationship, he's going to come up!

Relationship with Jesus changes us, and shifts our perspective in life.  He sheds a light on our very existence, the beautiful and difficult realities we face- if you let him.  Following him shapes our thoughts, words and actions, leads us to prayer (talking to Him), to his Church (his community), and to the sacraments (sharing in his life- God's life).  Now more than perhaps ever, it is a mystery, a "curiosity" to see someone living a relationship with Christ.  There is something attractive, which can't be readily explained or put in "a box," and which raises questions. 

 

It is important to know that while intellectually, specific doctrine may be inaccessible to some, this "living witness" of faith and relationship with Jesus is accessible to anyone. And those with special needs, whose lives in many ways are themselves a 'curiosity,' can provide in a very powerful and real way that same glimpse of Jesus, who as Henri Nouwen reminds us, "revealed Himself in vulnerability" as a helpless baby, and later on the cross.

"We are to live lives of such inexplicable joy, love, faith, and peace (even in trial)

 that all the normal categories by which non-believers try to classify us won't work."