My Good Friday Labyrinth Walk
It was noon. I walked into the church building and upstairs to Bradford Lewis Hall.
Knowing about the ‘Rule of Silence’, I tiptoed up the stairs. I entered the hall. The lights
were out. The windows were open but the curtains were closed. A gentle spring breeze
blew. The mixed sounds of birds and far away traffic drifted in through the open
windows. The canvas labyrinth was spread on the floor. A huge wooden cross was laid
flat on the stage. Inside of its right angle were a candle and a crown of thorns. It was so
quiet.
A small table held a cross and spiritual books. I took a book and sat to read for a while. I
read about Holy Week—the events of each day long ago. After reading for a while, it was
time to walk. I approached the labyrinth and took off my shoes. I paused at the opening
and chose a thought to meditate on. I wanted some clarification from God, and from
within, on an issue. Then I entered the labyrinth.
I walked; I put one foot in front of the other; I thought about my issue. When other
thoughts entered, I pushed them from my mind. When I reached the center of the
labyrinth, I stopped and contemplated the crown of thorns beside the cross, and thought
about what had happened so many years ago. Then it was time to turn around and re-trace
my steps back out of the labyrinth.
It was now time to go. I put on my shoes and tiptoed back down the stairs. As I went
about the rest of my day buying marshmallow peeps and worrying about which relatives
were coming to dinner, I smiled. I thanked God that there was a quiet place where I had
spent an hour—being, instead of doing. It was indeed a Good Friday.
------ A Good Friday Walker