our new Labyrinth

One project that is part of our Capital Campaign improvements to the church grounds is the development of a memorial garden along Elm Street. A paver path, resting stones, and plantings were installed last fall. The grassy area on either side of the path will be for the interment of ashes of loved ones. This week another element of the space was finished—our new labyrinth.

One of the most ancient spiritual symbols is a spiral. It finds its way into almost every religious tradition and predates them. One expression of this ancient symbol is the labyrinth. A labyrinth is a spiral that has one path, beginning at the outer edge and leading by a circuitous path into the center, and then a path from the center back out. It is not a maze because there are no dead ends. You can't get lost in a labyrinth. It's not a puzzle to solve; rather it's a path to walk. 

Labyrinths have been used for centuries for prayer, meditation, and symbolic pilgrimage as well as personal and spiritual growth. The famous (and immense) labyrinth at the Chartres Cathedral in France is eight hundred years old!

The labyrinth is a powerful symbol of the Christian life, which is not a destination, but a journey. The disciple of Jesus follows a "narrow way" (Matthew 7:14), walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), runs the race (Hebrews 12:1), and presses toward the goal of Christ (Philippians 3:12-14). The Israelites wandered in the desert and Jesus set his face to journey to Jerusalem and the cross. 

Walking the labyrinth from the outside to the center is a movement of seeking, repentance, and contemplation. The center is an encounter with Christ, meditation on the presence of Christ in us. Moving from the inside to the outside symbolizes being sent into the world to live as a disciple and witness.

At its core, a labyrinth walk is a simple rhythm that reflects the baptismal patter of dying to the old life and rising to the new. It echoes the prodigal's return to the Father. We live this out each year in the season of Lent and Easter. The labyrinth is a physical way to pray and practice the way of following Christ. 

In late summer, plantings and benches will be added to the labyrinth, and our memorial garden will be complete. We will be developing resources and experiences to help all walk the path that leads to Christ and to love in the world. Stay tuned!

Pax Christi
Tim Olson