December 11/Second Monday of Advent
They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. ~ Luke 5.18-19
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to walk a small and beautiful labyrinth that had been lovingly constructed by friends I was visiting in the countryside. Many of you may be practiced labyrinthers, but I was a novice (and a somewhat skeptical one). I saw the center, and I set out towards the center — and immediately, the path took me away from the center. I was slightly annoyed: what was the purpose of the diversion from the straightaway? Was this just a waste of time? Wouldn’t it save some trouble if I just stepped over the lines right to the center? Instead, I decided to trust the process, feeling slightly foolish, but hoping that my journey along the winding way would not only draw me to the center but teach me something. I kept the image of Christ fixed in my mind and my heart as my feet followed the circular way. And I thought about the twists and turns my own spiritual journey had taken, of wilderness periods, of fruitful times, of moments when I felt I was getting closer to God, only to turn away again. Eventually, I reached the center, and realized that if I had gone straight in, I would have missed the opportunity for reflection and prayer. Today’s Gospel reading is a good reminder that sometimes the direct path to God will not be open to us. When the faithful companions could not get through to Jesus with their paralyzed friend, they did not give up or retreat; they simply embraced indirection. And when we feel that we are distant from God, we simply need to keep going. The path may be roundabout, but if we walk in faith and trust, we will surely find our way to God.
Lord of the winding way, Give me the patient trust I need to find my way to you through the twists and turns of my life’s journey. Amen.
To hear the Choir of King’s College (Cambridge) sing “The Road Home,” by Stephen Paulus, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_ond8aVhHA
For today’s readings, click here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121123.cfm
I love Keeping Advent. This post makes me want to build/plant a labyrinth. I am in awe of the creativity and ingenuity. One thing I love about my increasing age is the joy in slowing down, and savoring, and stillness, and listening. Time consuming projects that used to seem selfish, or distracting, now are purposeful. – Thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts.
Thank you, Monique!
Betsy, let me guess who those friends are that lovingly constructed that labyrinth your mentioned in yesterdays reading. We feel privileged that you shared your journey through the labyrinth experience in your yesterday’s reflection. Yes our life’s journey is very serpentine indeed. Blessings to you Connie Weatherup
Bingo!