A God Who Questions. Leonard J. DeLorenzo

      

      As soon as I saw the title of this book I said to myself, “Why didn’t I think of that?” All of us have questions for God, but at the same time Our Lord questions us — not to find an answer to a difficult problem, but rather to draw us closer to himself. In this thought-provoking work, Leonard DeLorenzo brings insight, wisdom, and clarity to the questions that the Son of God puts to all of us. While one could read this relatively short book fairly quickly, as is the case with many spiritual works it is intended to make us think and to draw us into prayer and contemplation. I know that I will return to this book regularly, both for my ministry and for my own personal spiritual growth. I highly recommend A God Who Questions.

      — Most Rev. William A. Wack, CSC,

      Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee

      It is a natural inclination for humans to ask God questions, particularly in difficult times, and then wonder at the answers we get — or whether we have been answered, at all. In A God Who Questions Leonard DeLorenzo does something so original it is almost subversive: he examines the questions Christ Jesus asks of us through the Gospel, and invites us to feel challenged while we explore the answers. This is at once a daunting and inviting book — a chance to consider the often-overlooked nuances to what Jesus is saying to us throughout the ages, but most especially and compellingly in our present day. This is a rich collection of Christian considerations that may well be vital to the faith in the twenty-first century.

      — Elizabeth Scalia, Editor-at-Large, Word on Fire Ministries

      and author of Strange Gods: Unmasking the Idols inEveryday Life and Little Sins Mean a Lot

      Dr. DeLorenzo provides a great tool to help us encounter the God who questions. Each chapter is perfectly suited to bring to one’s time of prayer and is a great aid in helping us hear the questions God asks us. The questions make the Scriptures come alive as a living text through which the Word of God addresses us personally, so as to draw us more deeply into an encounter with Him.

      — Fr. Harrison Ayre, co-host of Clerically Speaking

      For all of us who question — who want to understand Scripture, strengthen our faith, and know Jesus Christ more deeply — A God Who Questions is an inviting and intriguing companion through the Gospels. Leonard DeLorenzo offers a creative and faithful exploration of Jesus’ own questions and how they reveal God’s wisdom, love, and desire to be in relationship with us. Perfect for personal reflection or small groups, A God Who Questions will transform the way you read Scripture and bring God’s Word alive in your daily prayer.

      — Laura Kelly Fanucci, author of Living Your Discipleship:7 Ways to Express Your Deepest Calling and Grieving Together:A Couple’s Journey through Miscarriage

      This book is pithy, powerful, and cuts to the heart — just like the questions it explores, the questions posed to us by Christ himself. As Leonard DeLorenzo reveals, our God is not a God of trite one-liners; he is a God who asks questions that unmask us and rend our hearts, readying us for a divine encounter. These questions — “Whom do you seek?” “Do you want to be healed?” — do not point to easy answers, but rather to a Person and the possibility of communion with him. This book is best read carefully, prayerfully, to allow each question to resonate through the reader, so the “sacred dialogue” can unfold.

      — Abigail Rine Favale, author of

      Into the Deep: An Unlikely Catholic Conversion

      A God Who Questions

       A God Who Questions

      Leonard J. DeLorenzo

      Except where noted, the Scripture citations used in this work are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible — Second Catholic Edition (Ignatius Edition) Copyright © 2006 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

      Where noted, Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

      Scripture quotations identified as JPS from Jewish Publication Society tankakh translation copyright © 1985, 1999 by the Jewish Publication Society.

      Every reasonable effort has been made to determine copyright holders of excerpted materials and to secure permissions as needed. If any copyrighted materials have been inadvertently used in this work without proper credit being given in one form or another, please notify Our Sunday Visitor in writing so that future printings of this work may be corrected accordingly.

      Copyright © 2019 by Leonard J. DeLorenzo

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      All rights reserved. With the exception of short excerpts for critical reviews, no part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever without permission from the publisher. For more information, visit: www.osv.com/permissions.

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      ISBN: 978-1-68192-367-3 (Inventory No. T2207)

      eISBN: 978-1-68192-368-0

      LCCN: 2019946661

      Cover design: Tyler Ottinger

      Cover art: Lightstock

      Interior design: Lindsey Riesen

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       To my friends,Fr. Pete McCormick, CSC, and Fr. Dan Parrish, CSC,two of the best preachers I know

      Table of Contents

       Introduction The questions he asks

       Chapter 1 What do you seek?

       Chapter 2 Why do you call me good?

       Chapter 3 Who do the crowds say that I am?

       Chapter 4 Do you see anything?

       Chapter 5 Do you want to be healed?

       Chapter 6 Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath?

       Chapter 7 What are you thinking in your hearts?

       Chapter 8 Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?

       Chapter 9 Who is my mother?

       Chapter 10 How does your concern affect me?