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story Sharing stories of mystical experiences
Before giving his Theology on Tap presentation, Prayer:
Encounters with God, the lively and gregarious Rob Goodman introduces
himself. In addition to serving as a permanent deacon at Three Holy Women
Parish in Milwaukee, he is a father of four and director of First Stage
Childrens Theatre. He takes a quick sip of Miller Lite from a plastic cup
and grins. You usually get water when you speak.
After an animated hourlong presentation on prayer, Goodman invites
the more than 50 young adults in the room to share some of their own
experiences.
What was your first encounter with God? he asks the
group. Brief silence follows, and then the hands are raised, slowly, somewhat
tentatively at first. The stories and reflections are thoughtful, poignant and
all very different. One participant speaks of his mothers death when he
was in first grade as an encounter with God. Another speaks of a profound
Sunday homily she heard just when she was on the verge of a breakdown.
I was a mess, she admits. Why is it when you are
21 you bawl at everything? The gospel and homily focused on the exact issues I
had been thinking about.
One young woman speaks of a mission trip to Haiti as a young
adult. I wish I could say I felt that I encountered God earlier than
that, she says. But about four years ago we were driving through
the trash, dust and dirt in this impoverished country, and then I saw a man
walking through all of it with a huge bushel of beautiful, white, pristine
calla lilies on his shoulder. It was the first time I realized that, because of
God, amongst filth there is beauty.
For another participant, an experience of nature provides a simple
but profound encounter with God. I like sunrises, he says.
There is nothing like driving west with the sun shining over your
shoulder. I just want to say to God, Good job!
For a young teacher, Gods presence manifested itself in the
simple discipline of listening. In my profession we tend to talk a
lot, she says. It is hard for me to listen without jumping right in
with advice and criticism. But one time I had an important conversation with my
sister and I really focused on listening. I realized that I was almost praying
while I was listening so intently to her. I realized that sometimes its
better just to shut up.
Goodman nods with approval as the stories are shared.
Everybody can have a unique personal relationship with God, he
says. However, I would not recommend saying, I want to be a
mystic. Youll be disappointed. I have heard tonight, though, at
least four or five mystical experiences that people have shared.
He looks at his watch and realizes it is time to wrap it up. It is
9:30 p.m. on a weeknight, and this thoughtful group has been together for
two-and-a-half hours. I just want to end tonight by saying that my prayer
for you is that God will give you more faith than fear. His final advice
is a bit more practical, meant to emphasize the importance of personal
initiative in prayer. If a ship is in a port, it doesnt go
anywhere, he says. The wind of God cant blow you anywhere if
you will not get off your duff.
-- Renée M. LaReau
National Catholic Reporter, August 30,
2002
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