The Right Answer
I wonder if our education system is built on the right foundation. It's not that I think the principles of education are flawed. Where I think we are misled is the thinking behind the concept of the right answer.
When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' After that no one dared to ask him any question. - Mark 12:34
In today's readings we encounter a scribe who gets it right. Unlike so many of the scribes in these stories, this one listens to what Jesus says and agrees with him.
His reward is knowing he is close to the Kingdom of God.
Now, at first glance, this is a teacher's pet situation. Agree with the teacher and gain favor. But that may not be the way to look at this.
In life, we don't encounter simple true-false or multiple choice decisions. We have more complicated choices to make and our training falls short of preparing us for those. We may not see all the options and those we do see may not be totally true or totally false.
If we look at this kingdom Jesus talks about as that place of truth that we can approach and perhaps even enter, then there is hope. Is is not just about saying "Yes." We need to believe what we are saying and say what we believe.
The scribe got it right because his words were true to his mind, heart, soul and strength. He was all in. That, I think, is what makes the difference. Going through the motions doesn't count. Reciting what we hear and memorize doesn't gain us anything.
I don't know how to change the way we teach our children to be fully invested in their truth, but I believe it is something we need to do.
Often there isn't one right answer. But there may be a right path to take to get closer to that truth. I pray that we become like the scribe and find a way to be all in too.