The readings from the Old Testament these weeks at Mass are made for questions. For example, today’s reading from Genesis 19,15-29. Why was Lot’s wife turned to a pillar of salt when she looked back at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorra? Was she overly curious, or overly regretful? Jesus has some harsh things to say about people who look back. Or maybe it’s just a piece of human caution– watch out where you’re going when you’re in a hurry.

Lot himself is slow to leave the place he’s chosen for his own. He asks to go to a town close by. Is he hoping to get back soon to the place he wants to be? Then why isn’t he turned to a pillar of salt? 

In these Genesis stories God often seems to be on the side watching it all like everyone else. Isn’t that what we think at times? God is a spectator as human events unfold, watching it all like everyone else. But that’s not true, is it?

Questions like these have kept Jewish commentators busy for centuries. We tend to pass them by for stories more easily understood. Or, we’re convinced the answers are there in some book we haven’t read,, and so we don’t give them much thought. 

But the scriptures are meant to raise questions. We go to God through questions.