Soon after making first vows in the Cenacle, I was sent to be on the staff of our large retreat house in Saint Louis. Since we offered a full schedule of spiritual programs ― retreats, days and evenings of prayer, spiritual direction, directed retreats, and more ― I met many people. Some, however, stood out from the others and continue to hold a special place in my memory. Two of these happened to be residents of the state mental hospital.
I don’t know who made the arrangements, but occasionally the two women would be put in a cab, given return taxi fare, and sent to the Cenacle for a women’s day of prayer. Suffice it to say that both of them were rather conspicuous in the group of mostly middle-class women making the prayer day. The appearance of one reminded me of the water-color illustrations of the crone ― the benign crone, not the sinister one ― in my childhood fairy-tale book.
One particular program they attended was being led by a priest. At some point during the day, he asked each of the participants to share with the group her thoughts on his chosen topic (which I have long ago forgotten).
When it came the turn of one of the women from the state hospital, she said, “I can’t speak, but I can dance.”
And dance she did!
Was the rather dignified group uncomfortable or embarrassed with this display? If so, there was no indication of it. At least one woman, at the end of the day, said that this silent dance was what spoke to her the most powerfully from the whole day of prayer.
The dance of a mentally ill woman, an offering from one of the anawim, the poor of God, had revealed the beauty of God in a way that all the learned words spoken by the priest could not do.
Those who have eyes to see, let them see.
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”
Matthew 11:25 (NIV)
Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.Psalm 149:3
May I always dance!