Labyrinth

Carstairs Junction Church was a special place to be during Holy Week this year, the days leading up to Good Friday and Easter Day. The chairs had been taken away. A path of pebbles had been laid out on the floor. Gentle music was playing in the background. On coming through the front door, we were welcomed and given a leaflet explaining what was going on. We were invited to walk down the path, to pause at different points on the journey, to read the words that were displayed, and to see - or maybe even touch - the symbols that were laid out to aid our reflection. There was, for example, a goblet of red wine vinegar, a crown of thorns, a handful of nails, a large cross right in the centre, and a place to pause a reflect on Jesus who gave his life for us all.

Most of us coming through the door had no idea what to expect. Some of us were a little anxious. We discovered there was no reason to be anxious whatsoever. We were surprised and moved and touched by the opportunity the labyrinth gave us of taking time to think about issues of life and faith in an atmosphere of serenity and peace. We were not forced to think in a certain way. We were not asked to do anything we did not want to do. No demands were made on us at all. We simply walked the path in the way and at the speed that was right for us. We all had our own thoughts and we likely all came away with something different and personal - but with something that deepened our faith and gave such a real sense of peace and worship.