Journey of Faith

From a theological perspective, the question arises, “How do I know that my mystical experience is valid?” This question is particularly difficult for those who have been taught to rely only on the “law” or the word of scripture as valid. This question can be answered on at least two levels.  

If one believes, as Roman Catholics and some other religious persuasions do, that tradition and the living word of God are important to their faith, then it is a small step to include experience as valid.  

In my own view, learning, and experience, God continues to be revealed as we move forward in history and in the life of the individual believer as they mature in faith.

It is also my belief that as we continue through our life’s journey of faith and prayer, we go through a series of conversions toward an ever-deepening relationship with God.  

The mystic may eventually enter into that all-encompassing, all-loving embrace of God’s love, but any mystic, I believe, would still describe it as ever-changing, ever-deepening, even though focused on “being” in the presence of God. 

A second way that God is usually revealed to us is through the charisms and gifts of the Holy Spirit.  As we experience more and more of the Holy Spirit in our lives, especially in relationships with others, we come to trust our experiences.  To deny these spiritual experiences would seem to deny the Holy Spirit.