No More Answers

[Jesus said, “This, then, is how you should pray:] ‘And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’” – Matthew 6:13 (NIV) 

This line in the prayer Jesus taught has hit me differently in this season bereft of compassion and equity. In a season where the seeds of white supremacy, heteronormative contempt, xenophobia and homophobia and transphobia and strong-Diasporic-Womanist-phobia have broken through the ground and are sprouting all around us, growing through dirt turned over in false narratives and fertilized with fear, greed, and hate. 

My spirit is unsettled. My heart searches for answers. But I keep ending up with more questions. 

The retelling of what “Jesus meant” by so many scholars and commentaries leaves me dissatisfied, disappointed, and dumbfounded that we think God needs defending. 

Jesus said what he said. Don’t try and twist his words because they cause you to flinch. Let’s stop trying to answer for God. The same God who played in Job’s face. 

The only answers God requires are “Yes!” “Thank you, God!” “We love and praise You!” and “Amén!” 

Text that causes us to question God or make meaning of it point us to who we understand God to be. Go ahead and ask God hard questions that lead to more questions. Ask, “What in the holy hell is going on, Creator?” 

God doesn’t run from hard questions. Neither should we. 

Familia, we don’t need to have all the answers. We won’t have all of the answers. What is necessary is the space and trust to interrogate and deepen our connection with God in authenticity and mutual accountability. 

Prayer
Dios de bondad y justicia, ayúdanos buscar de su Divina Sabiduría. Danos fuerza, curiosidad, y valor para mantener la fe y vivir con rectitud, confianza y amor. God of goodness and justice, help us seek your divine wisdom. Grant us strength, curiosity, and courage to keep our faith and live with righteousness, confidence, and love. Amén.

About the Author
Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks (she/they/ella/elle) is an Afriqueña queer womanist minister, healer, and lifelong co-learner committed to the liberation of oppressed and colonized peoples, building power, and creating community.