Year 12 Labyrinth Walk
Blessed are those….who who have set their hearts on pilgrimage(Psalm 84:5b)
“It is solved by walking.” (St. Augustine)
Pilgrimage is an ancient spiritual tradition.
On the ancient European pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, the pilgrims greet each other with the cry – “Buen Camino” – “have a good journey.”
We are all pilgrims through life – so lets greet each other with the pilgrim cry:
“Buen Camino!”
Jesus’ earthly ministry beganand ended with pilgrimages to the Passover festivalin Jerusalem.
Pilgrimage also has a long tradition in the Christian church.
This was especially so in the Middle Ages when labyrinths where placed in many churches as a safe and convenient mini-Pilgrimage.
The most famous labyrinth isin Chartres Cathedral in France.
The labyrinth you are walking today is a smaller version of the Chartres labyrinth.
The Chartres labyrinth has rich symbolism.
- There are 6 petals in the flower at the centre – one for each day of creation.
- The flower itself represents Mary, Jesus’ mother.
- The path represents the many twists and turns of our own life pilgrimage.
- The circle reminds us that we are always held in God’s embrace through our pilgrimage.
Our life is a Pilgrimage and the labyrinth is a pilgrimage.
Unlike a maze, the labyrinth is not designed to make us lost, but to help us to find ourselves.
We walk the same path in and out.This makes the labyrinth a great place:
- Toreflect and chill out,
- To pray and receive new thoughts
- To move on – to move forward!
We arrive at the centre – we are refreshed by God’s presence – and we return to our lives, empowered to share his love.
You are completing a very significant part of your life pilgrimage – your time at school. Your time at Pacific will go with you. It has helped to make you who you are.
However there may be something you want to leave behind.
The labyrinth is a good place to do that.
My invitation to you is to find a leaf or a stone – place on it any thoughts, actions, experiences you want to leave behind in the labyrinth - and then when you walk the labyrinth leave it in the centre – and move on – leave it in the labyrinth. Leave it in God’s hands!
Any questions?
May you be blessed today, as you walk the labyrinth!
A Reading before walking the labyrinth:
A teacher asks a student to read this poem
Set out!You were born for the road.
Set out!You have a meeting to keep,
Where? With whom?
Perhaps with yourself.
Set out!
Yours steps will be your words –
The road your song,
The weariness your prayers.
And at the end your silence will speak to you.
Set out!
Alone or with others –
But get out of yourself!
You have created rivals –
You will find companions.
You envisaged enemies –
You will find brothers and sisters.
Set out!Your head does not know where your feet are leading your heart.
Set out!You were born for the road –
The pilgrim’s road.
Someone is coming to meet you –
Is seeking you in the shrine at the end of the road –
In the shrine in the depths of your heart.
He is your peace.He is your joy!
Go!God already walks with you!
The students walk the labyrinth when they are ready. Choose carefully the first person to walk.
When students are finished walking they may fill in the reflection sheet.
Prayers after walking the labyrinth:
Teacher reads this prayer and blessing:
The Circle Prayer
Circle us Lord Jesus! Keep protection near, and danger far.
Circle us Lord Jesus!Keep hope within, keep doubt without.
Circle us Lord Jesus! Keep light near, and darkness far.
Circle us Lord Jesus!Keep peace with in, keep evil out. Amen.
The Blessing
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of Jesus - the Son of peace to you.
Amen.
Close with the greeting “Buen Camino!”
2015 Rick Zweck, revised Tim Jarick