Written by Emma Grosskopf
During my sophomore year, I did a great many things. Many of them I’m not super proud of, like going through an unfortunate phase where I stole food from fridges in buildings that I did NOT live in, or passing out in the common rooms of buildings that I did NOT live in, or ending up on the bathroom floor in buildings which, YOU GUESSED IT, I did NOT live in.
Another thing that I did sophomore year was go to Theology on Tap.
It appealed to me originally because, as a Catholic, I grew up with Bible Study. You know, youth group. Catechism classes. Whatever you wanted to call it. As a kid, I called it “torture.” My mom would always say, “Offer it up” any time I complained, and so I did.
I heard about ToT here, and so I thought, “what the hell.” I can give it a go, so I went for a little while, but I just couldn’t take the people that went.
I couldn’t take the people who were just so full of themselves. These were the people who LIVED for hearing themselves spout platitudes and nod sagely when their friends did the same or the people who faked their own depth, like they had experiences that were SO INTERESTING that everyone in Mac and Bob’s absolutely HAD to hear it.
I got tired of it really quickly.
Last week, however, Kaelyn asked me if I wanted to go with her because she didn’t want to go alone. I had a flashback to my sophomore year experience with ToT, and I hesitated before saying that sure, I would go with her, because we do crazy things for people we love.
I think, in my sophomore year, I was angry. I was looking for something to take as a personal attack, and I didn’t have to look far when I went to ToT. My mindset was such that the second anyone opened their mouths, I was ready to pounce.
Last week when I went, I realized how much I have changed since then. Whenever someone opened their mouths to answer Chaplain Chris’ question, I realized that I was actually listening. I was ready to try to actually understand their viewpoint. I wasn’t angry; I was curious, and I liked the feeling.
I never raised my hand to offer an opinion, but when Chaplain Chris asked his questions, I discussed them candidly with Kaelyn and the other two gals at the table. Over the plate of garlic knots and marinara sauce, I found that I was having a good time.
It was a well-needed dose of community and open discourse, and I realized that was what I was missing sophomore year.
I realized that I needed to grow up a little in order to get the most out of Theology on Tap.
If you’re looking to spend an hour with a diverse group of people from all areas of campus discussing questions about ethics, morality and yes, theology, I highly recommend giving it a go. Get out of your comfort zone and listen to the opinions of your peers. It can reveal so much about your own opinions, values and it might help you grow, like it did for me.
