Labyrinths exist on every inhabited continent and throughout history. They are found painted on cave walls, illustrated in manuscripts, made with mosaic tiles, in gardens using grass/bushes/flowers, or installed in sanctuary floors. The earliest known labyrinth is one from Crete that goes back to 1200 B.C. They can be square, octagonal, or circular. They have both pagan and Christian origins. The first known Christian labyrinth was installed in the 4th Century at the entrance to a church in North Africa and was square in design. They became quite popular throughout France and Italy during the 11th-13th Centuries. They were walked by clergy and laity alike. Worshippers in ancient churches stood for the Mass; there were no pews or chairs, so the labyrinths in churches were easily accessible by everyone at any time. Their symbolism suggests that life is like a path with its hardships and ordeals, where one wanders and takes wrong turns, but is always in search of a center that can be reached. The one in Chartres Cathedral was installed after the great fire in 1194 that destroyed a major portion of the sanctuary. When the new church was constructed, a labyrinth was laid in the floor with mosaic marble tiles. During the Council of Trent, after facing many challenges from the Protestant Reformation, in 1563 it was decided that chairs and pews could be installed in churches. Doing so, obscured the labyrinth on the sanctuary floors of many churches. By the 17th and 18th Centuries the spiritual meaning of labyrinths was no longer understood, which ultimately led to many of them being destroyed. Thankfully, the one in Chartres Cathedral remained untouched. Only two other original labyrinths remain in all of France. For the past 30 years there has been a resurgence of interest in the walking of these sacred paths.
How does one walk a labyrinth? Unlike my first attempt at walking the one at Grace Cathedral as a fun maze, there is a plan and purpose for walking a labyrinth. It is an exercise of body, mind, and spirit. Before you enter the labyrinth prepare to enter by letting go of all that would make it impossible to stay attentive to the present moment. It is sometimes helpful to center your thoughts and preparation prayers on a specific issue/idea/focus/concern. Once you enter the path, the rhythm of walking becomes an experience that occupies the whole person. In the solitude, you can be present to truth, decide how to respond to what is revealed, meditate on a text, pray for other’s, or ask for God’s help. As you retrace the same path going out as you did going in, meditate further on what was revealed, begin framing how you’ll respond. Once you have completed the entire journey, take the time to reflect on the experience of the walk, document them, consider their implications. Some people find it helpful to journal or create. Finally, thank God for the blessings that have been received.
Today I walked the Chartres Cathedral’s Labyrinth. Sabbatical leave is basically a really long labyrinth walk, so I wasn’t necessarily searching for something specific today. However, I have 10 more years in ministry before retirement. My area of concentration/meditation/focus is searching for what God wants me to do with these next 10 years. My walk today wasn’t earth shattering, but it was helpful.
For dinner tonight I had escargot and duck breast.
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