Note: On Tuesdays and some Sundays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.
Jesus, we see in today’s Gospel reading from John 5, was not 
the only one of His time who didn’t answer questions directly.
It was a simple question that He posed to the man in the pool: “Do you want to be well?” And instead of responding with, “Well, duh! Of course! Wouldn’t you?” or something a bit more polite, the man whines and moans about how no one will help him, about people passing him by.
Yadda-yadda-yadda.
Jesus, being Jesus, reframes the situation rather than asking the question again or turning away. He gives the man a directive, and the man follows it. (We go on to find out that this healing occurred on the Sabbath, scandalizing the religious leaders, but that is another Tripod for another time.)
“Do you want to be well?” Jesus asks us this question often. Are you willing to give up the petty hurts you’re nursing? Are you willing to sacrifice some creature comforts so others may have food and shelter? Are you willing to trust in Him completely rather than carve out areas of your life where you believe you’re in control?
What’s your answer?
