I realize I’ve been practicing Godly Play so long, that I crave the debriefing process of the “I wonder” questions. I also know that for most folks reading this, I might as well have said, “Blah, blah, blah.” An “I wonder” question in Godly Play is an open ended question that serves as a tool for spiritual direction after a story. There are no right or wrong answers, but instead it guides the questioned to look inside themselves for where the Spirit is guiding.
The Story was epic. On Saturday night, I heard the entire Gospel of Mark from beginning to end–live and from the heart of Dr. Phil Ruge-Jones. I’ve heard it and read it and heard it again–in pieces. But to hear it in one voice from beginning to end is–well, epic. So let me wonder….
I wonder what was your favorite part?…
- I loved the beginning with Jesus’ baptism–and then the recollection of Baptism with that mysterious youth at the garden of Gethsemane and then again at the resurrection–what’s up with that anyway?
- I loved that every time Jesus fed a crowd, whether Jews, Gentiles or disciples–he blessed the bread and broke it and shared with those gathered.
- The story of Legion is always hilarious, that is until you think of the reeking mess of pigs that went over the cliff.
- The part about the man carried by four men to the crowded house that Jesus was preaching–only to not be able to get in. So his friends carry him to the roof, make a hole and lower him down. Wow–the imagery–carried like the Ark of the Covenant and lowered into the house as if through some sacred oculus–a paralytic.
- But I suppose, my favorite part was the blind man, only after the second try at healing by Jesus does he see. The first try the man can only see “trees walking” instead of people. What a puzzle and yet perhaps the way my perception is most of the time–fuzzy. I wish I had something like Dumbledore’s penseive, to grab thoughts, memories and insights fast, before they blur.
I wonder what was the most important part?…
Surely it was courageous trust. Time and time again we heard the greatness of the courageous trust. That is harder to hear when it is broken up into little pieces of lectionary.
I wonder where you are in the story?…
Often, I am Jairus. Just mentioning the name, raises goosebumps. I know Jairus so well–the privileged beggar. But this night, it was nice to give Jairus a rest. This hearing of the story placed me firmly on the hill in the crowd, just another one richly fed by the miracle.
I wondered what part could you take out and still have all the story you need?…
It would be nice to take the intermissions out, but then they were probably necessary. Something that was easily taken out–both in the oration and reflection was the arbitrary numerical markers of chapters and verses. The telling made it one story. I reflect on “the part about the so-and-so” instead of the chapter number. So, I guess my final answer is nothing.
Thanks to the many orators who carried this story in their hearts before anyone ever wrote it down. And thanks to Dr. Phil Ruge-Jones for presenting it so beautifully this past weekend!
Keep wondering…