Are Powerful Questions Dangerous??
They can be. Case in point:
Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez’s recent death was highlighted in America Magazine. The article, written by Michael E. Lee stated, “Perhaps more than any other theological figure of the past century, this humble Peruvian priest, who died October 22 at the age of 96, wrestled with the question he identified at the heart of Liberation Theology: “How do you tell the poor, “God loves you.””
Fr. Gutierrez wrote the book, A Theology of Liberation.
Liberation Theology stresses the need to care for the poor out of a sense of justice as much as charity. It also stresses, consistent with Pope Francis, that we should not only offer preferential treatment to the poor, but also learn from them. Funny, I was raised to believe that the only thing the poor could teach me was how to avoid getting there.
Liberation Theology has produced a number of martyrs in South America. It has also been a persistent thorn in the side of those who would insulate the Church from thorny issues such as justice.
I would say that Fr. Gutierrez’s Powerful Question was indeed “dangerous.”
Powerful Questions Discovered
Who Has Powerful Questions?
Scientists & Entrepreneurs
Einstein found his Powerful Question at age 16. He credited that question as being present throughout his life. His question: “What would it be like to ride on a beam of light?”
Seekers
Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) set out on his mendicant journey for the sole purpose of finding an answer to his question: What is the cause of pain and suffering?
Creators
May Lin asked herself “What is the purpose of a war memorial at the close of the twentieth century?” before submitting her winning design for the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial.
Spiritually Called
Elizabeth Bettina had hers when looking at a 1940 photograph. She wondered why a priest, a rabbi, and a policeman were all smiling together on the steps of a church in Italy when Jews were being incarcerated at the time.
