The fascinating and awesome mystery (Tangaza)

Group 1

Group one: Martin Mwenda  12056T, Paluku Mulyandada Godefroid 12138T, Majone Romao 12052T, Andrianoromandimby Jean Loc Herve 12111T, Ssekweyama Rocco 12146T and Nsa Charles Ndibowiy 12054T (secretary)

Sitting today for group discussion on question 6, we both realized that we have both been caught by a sense of awesome mystery. We shared different experiences yet each was unque according to each individual. According to some members of the group, it awakened a certain feeling of joy, hope and attraction but for others, it was a terrific experience which they wouldn’t like to have again. There was a kind of mixed experiences which also brought a sense of wonder. This example was so glaring that we would like to share. It is the example of someone’s call which we termed “awesome mystery.” Many questions arise, why does one not Marry? What brought one here? Yet it is difficult to answer. This leaves us with mixed feelings. A series of “whys” are asked for example, why me; why priesthood? Especially when one’s friends are successful and one even goes to the extent of questioning if one is in the right place, yet one stays. Incredible isn’t it? This type of feeling comes especially in a retreat or recollection. One is switched on and off between likeness and unlikeness, fear and excitement.

Comment on The  Idea of the holy by Rudolf Otto

In this analysis of religious experience, the awesome mystery is foundational. It is different from other human experiences for there is a mixed creature feeling of attraction and fear. There is overpoweringness. It is a fascinating but frightening mystery. It is a mysterium tremendum. Tremendum can be understood if we go back to the old law to meet Moses in the burning bush. There is an element of ‘shudder’ in ghost stories. The tremendum makes us see the holiness of God. This leads to an element of overpoweringness, the element of energy or urgency. It is active and compelling.

This is a mystery we can not fully comprehend. A God comprehended is no God, he is so overwhelming- the wholly other. Although he is not wholly comprehended, our feelings can be an essential aid to make us contemplate Him. It is daunting as well as fascinating.

Group 2

On the aspect of “awesome mystery”, a member pointed out that he experienced ‘mystical power’ when he received the sacrament of reconciliation. He noted that after this spiritual encounter, he felt overwhelmed by some power he could not actually give a specific name or tell its origin. He experienced a sense of relief in that some burden had been released off his shoulder. He got some healing and his burden was lessened.

Another member shared his experience of some power during his retreat. There was a general feeling of spiritual transformation; newness of life and a rejuvenation. It was a meeting with the ‘Unknown’.

There was a general consensus that most members seem to encounter some unexplainable ‘feeling of the unknown’ during Eucharistic celebration. There are some feeling mysterious union between our human element and with the Divine; a very spiritual dimension.

Other members shared that in the event of attending Ordinations or Final Professions, there seems to be an encounter with some ‘awesome mystery’. This was so specifically during the chanting of the litany of saints. Something Divine reaches our hearts.

Being Africans, we also acknowledged that some of these powers have also been attributed to the evil one especially in cases of extraordinary natural calamities. Those that are always negative in their effects towards the well being of the community. They disrupt the harmony within the society.

In most occasions, common feelings that engulf us when we experience these ‘awesome mystery’ are those of: Fear, anxiety (spiritual), happiness, peace (of mind and heart), confusion (because of lack of understanding), and revolt especially if the experience tends to ignite some negative emotions or thoughts in us.

The effect is that these experiences always turn our mind to think of that Supernatural Being; in a sense it provokes our spiritual search/quest for it (the Supernatural Being) seems to be our only source of consolation and comfort.   

Reading the text ‘The fascinating and awesome mystery’ (which was actually long), Otto (a German Theologian), asserts that “a human encounter with some “Mysterium Tremendum” ( Latin; awesome mystery) is the foundational experience in religion. This awesome mystery is usually described in religious tradition and scripture as “holy”- “set apart””. (p. 23, of the lecture notes). In a sense this experience makes us be aware of the “numinous’, the divine spirit. It awakens in us what Otto calls a “creature-feeling” characterized by both attraction and fear. 

For Otto, it is this fascinating as well as frightening mystery which always remains external to the human person that the name/word ‘GOD’ has been ascribed to. Its experience may come with some gentle tide, presenting the mind with a tranquil mood of deepest worship. But when it dies, the soul retains its normal state of nonreligious mood.

As a concept, ‘mysterium’ denotes something hidden and esoteric; that which is beyond human conception or understanding, extraordinary and unfamiliar. While awe denotes natural emotion of fear; “fear” that is beyond ‘fear proper’. (Exodus 23:27).

In conclusion, our experiences of the ‘awesome mystery’ actually take us to the level of relating with God with some fear. Otto calls it ‘perfect fear of God’ since it comes with some elements of acknowledging the ‘wholly other’, ‘overpoweringness’ and energy, and that is the power and presence of God.  (REPORT BY: SAMUEL APONDI)

Group 3

Members:

Respicius Kweyambe, Benjamin Juana, Cipriano Sapalo, John Michael Alibu, Rainu Ram,

Secretary: Akagwu Ojonojima John.

As regards the question of been ‘caught’ by a sense of ‘awesome mystery’ some of the members were at a loss concerning its meaning in relation to their personal experiences. Some in between certainty and uncertainty as to whether or not some of their experiences could be classified as having a dimension beyond the ordinary. However, the following are the contributions made by the members

·         One of us sees it as a hard question to answer in the sense that it is somewhat unclear. He feels he is not equipped with the capacity to discern whether or not it is an invincible power. He is hesitant to make a hasty conclusion that a particular experience is from God or of a supernatural origin.

·         Another related an experience of once being fascinated by the beauty of the cloud illumined by the sun rays to the point of remaining there admiring such site for about an hour. For him this singular experience was so unique that it has remained a reference point in his life, especially in times of hardship and sorrow. Mention is also made of experiences in which he had achieved certain goals against all expectations.

·         Two of the group members were sincere enough to confess their inability to link any of their experiences with the extraordinary.

·         Another speaks of the very first ordination mass in which he participated as a young mass server. This had an unexplainable effect in his life and serves as one of the reasons why he is here with us today, on his journey to the Priesthood.

·         Finally, the last person speaks of a dream he is convinced is the earliest experience he remembers in his life. As a child of not more than four years old, he finds himself inside a church all alone, but with a big celebration outside and people celebrating, but he is alone inside looking at the portrait of Jesus. Suddenly, the Jesus comes out of the picture and they begin to talk. While talking, they go out of the church and pass the people without being noticed, and they keep going until the sound of music and celebration fades away… everywhere white.

Suddenly, Jesus says “ok, why not go back now, i will come back to take you LATER.” Of course, the little boy refuses and uses his small hands to hold Jesus’ big fingers tightly, but Jesus only smiles, looking at him. Everywhere was dark again; the little one had woken up with tears in his eyes.

He is convinced that some of his unclear life’s experiences have only made sense in connection to that dream which for reasons unknown to him, has remained fresh in him memory. Today, He is sure that Jesus never actually left him that night.

The text on the “fascinating and awesome mystery” corresponds generally to our understanding of reality.

Group 4

Isaac Amponsah-Boateng

Members shared that they had been ‘caught’ by a sense of awesome mystery which one way or the other has affected and transformed their lives. The following were captured during the sharing:

A member shared an experience during a spontaneous prayer meeting –where he ‘deviated’ in the course of the prayers and ended him falling down unconsciously when he was being prayed over by the leader of the prayer session. He has come to believe that some of the things that happen at charismatic prayer meeting are true.

Another shared his experience before the Blessed Sacrament –when he heard an inner voice (God) in his moment of doubt. This has motivated him to be sharing with people his experience of the Divine any time the need arises, and has come to believe also that people do experience the Divine.

One also said his life has been transformed due to the inner peace he has been experiencing in his heart. This can be traced to an inter-continental meeting he attended—where many people were to share a small quantity of food. Initially, he was at unease, but in the process, he experienced some inner joy, and since then, this experience has remained with him.

Another member has come to believe that faith of a believer results in miracles. This was as a result of prayer session that his Parish Priest (who was by then busy) made him have with some Faithful who were experiencing some problems. Though he belittled himself during the prayer session, the faith of those faithful resulted to their problems being vanished completely.

A member also shared an experience with some group before the Blessed Sacrament where a friend doubted the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and ended him (the friend) falling and trembling on the floor as soon as the Blessed Sacrament was raised by a priest to bless the people. This has helped deepen his faith in the ever-presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

Reading and commenting on the text, “Fascinating and Awesome mystery”, we summarised that each and every person at one point in his/her life experiences something which in a way helps deepen the person’s faith. This is because as one encounters such an experience, he/she now comes to realise more about the presence of the Divine (God) as Rudolf Otto summarises in Mysterium Tremendum.

Minutes written and sent by Isaac Amponsah-Boateng.

Group 5

Chanikya Koda

Group members: - Nuwagaba Justus, Leonard G. wambui, Christian Mumpa,
Daniel Kabuya, Rono Nicodemus and Chanikya Kodati.

Here we shared about the awesome mystery which all of us had it in
many different ways. Some of the points which we shared are as follows

Christian Mumpa expresses the awesome mystery as something which we
can’t see or don’t know. He gives the example saying if we do some
action, it is not really done by us but there is someone who pushes us
to do that act. He calls it as external invisible power.

Daniel Kabuya shared his past experience of driving a car on a rush,
busy and jammed road. At a certain point near the signal he parked his
car behind the lorry waiting for the signal to go. Suddenly he found
the lorry which was in front of his car started coming backwards it
came so close to the car and that’s it; he didn’t know what happened
to him. He turned car so fast and afterwards he found himself safe and
secure. He didn’t know what happened to him but he experienced someone
pushed him to do that action. He shared that he was frightened and
terrified. He also says it is difficult to explain the experience he
had.

Rono Nicodemus shared his experience as a hostel warden.  He says that
there was a boy in the hostel who was healthy and active. He was just
like normal boys eating and playing but he doesn’t used to go for the
second call. For 2 weeks and 3 weeks that boy didn’t go for natural
second call, they had taken him to the hospital but the doctor said he
was alright. Days past but no result, they had send him to his house,
again there he had gone to another doctor who prescribed some
medicines but there was no use. The incharge of the hostel who is a
priest was praying for him but there was no result. He (Rono
Nicodemus) says that it was awesome mystery which led all of them
towards evil.

Leonard expressed that it is something which grasps or attracts ones
attention.  And he explained it in Latin saying “Mystirium, trimendum
et facinas”.
Nuwagaba Justus has concentrated on the religious experience which he
had in the past and by using examples from the Bible like St. Paul and
Elijah.

Since I was taking the minutes, I have summoned up everything said by
our group members, i.e., we do believe that we can’t do things by our
own there is an unknown knower who moves us, who guides us. But very
few times we realize such power. Yet times we are afraid, frightened,
surprised, etc because we don’t know what happened in a particular
movement. This experience doesn’t stay long, but for sure they leave
some impact on our lives. We experience but we can’t explain it in our
language. All these things are beyond our knowledge to know them.

Secretary: CHANIKYA KODATI

Group 6

MEMBERS

Christopher Nkole, Pawl Gabrys, Joseph Mmasi, Bartholomew Senewo, George Michira and 

Anthony Musonda (secretary)

Question Six

In August 2012, George suffered from a dangerous disease. This disease was very painful and he was very much worried because, he was about to prepare for novitiate. To make the situation more burdensome, before commencing the novitiate he went for more medical examinations. The test was to ascertain whether the disease was healed or not. The disease was not cured; George continued to pray to God for healing.

However, one day George went to pray in the chapel, as he was in a state of prayer grazing at the crucifix of Jesus and recalling what he read in a spiritual book about the person who suffered from the same illness like his. Many thoughts ran in his mind, suddenly he had an encounter with God. He experienced the “Mysterium Tremendum” or in other words his religious experience. He felt the deeper encounter with the Lord and from that moment, he was filled with great joy and hope.

There after, he went again for medical examinations, this time George was very much terrified with the results, which he was anxious to receive. Considering the fact that, he desired so much to continue with his vocation to religious life. The medical results came out fortunately, it was negative and George thanked God for his miraculous healing.

The feeling was that of helplessness before the presence of God almighty. It was the feeling of total submission and readiness to serve God, as the way of saying thanks to God.

It was a positive energy, in the sense that George was encouraged to have hope in God. Furthermore, he encountered God as a person.

Comment

God becomes the ultimate centre of our lives, only if we have a deep personal encounter with him. The Germany Protestant theologian Rudolf Otto uses one of the characteristics of religion. The “creature-feeling” when we have an encounter with the Transcendent Being (God) we experience what he calls “Mysterium Tremendum” a pleasant experience. Enjoying the presence of God, on the other hand we experience another feeling of unworthiness, which brings about the state of “fascinans” this feeling is the kind of desiring to continue experiencing the presence of the Holy (God). Finally, we experience powerlessness or nothingness before the Transcendent Being (God).

Group 7

No REPORT!