About Weekly Reflections during Lent
As the Season of Lent progresses over these next five weeks, the promises of God in the stories we share move from the external to the internal – from the rainbow in the sky to right inside our hearts. This journey inward, along with the journey towards Jerusalem and the events of Holy Week and Easter, is mirrored in the ancient pathway of the labyrinth. Nan is creating a labyrinth on the floor of St. Mark's hall for your use during Lent.
The labyrinth is a symbol that predates Christianity and can be found in many cultures. During the Middle Ages, it was incorporated into the floors of many of the great cathedrals of Europe. Pilgrims who were unable to make the entire journey to Jerusalem to mark their faith journey would go to their regional cathedral and walk this pathway inside the church building as a substitute. In recent years, labyrinths have become quite popular as a meditation tool, and many churches, parks and retreat centres feature them in gardens and indoors.
What distinguishes a labyrinth from a maze is that there is no trick or trap to a labyrinth, as there often is with a maze. The maze is like a puzzle, and the labyrinth like a mystery – meant to be followed rather than solved. There are many styles of labyrinth designs, but what they all have in common is a path that leads into a centre and back out again. The path is usually not direct, but rather comes in and expands out again before finally making its way to the centre. One is free to focus on the journey rather than the destination, often moving away from what seems to be the goal in order to gain greater perspective or more experience before approaching or achieving it.
Use our labyrinth each week during the Season of Lent to mark the journey of God’s promises and the pathway to Jerusalem. A printed weekly reflection will be provided on a stand in St. Mark's hall. Our labyrinth will be in place on Sunday February 26th. Nan will continue a guided contemplative practice--now with the labyrinth--on Tuesday mornings at 9:30. Please join her during that time to walk the labyrinth--or walk the labyrinth at your convenience at other times the hall is not being used for other purposes.
Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Lent • Easter 2012 Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2011 Adapted
