Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6
A group of pilgrims were visiting the famous Chartres Cathedral and its great labyrinth, the circular walkway outlined on the church floor, that pilgrims and penitents have prayerfully “walked” for centuries.
An older man and woman stood near the entrance watching visitors slowly walk the labyrinth. Then the woman took off her shoes and handed them, with her purse, to her husband. As he watched, she began to walk the intricate path. She cried as she slowly walked; he cried watching her. When they pulled themselves together, they explained to a concerned onlooker that they had come to Chartres to celebrate the end of the woman’s treatment from cancer. Neither one of them had ever heard of a labyrinth before they walked into the cathedral that day. She could not explain why she was drawn to walk it, but when she did, her husband decided to watch, giving thanks for her life while she made her way around and out of the labyrinth.
“I began to feel at peace with my body again after being very angry that it had let me down,” the woman explained. As she walked, she found herself remembering all the people who had walked with her through her surgery and treatment. “I now know why we came.” She needed to walk that journey in hope and gratitude.
After all the fear and pain and anguish this couple experienced, they re-discover, as they walk the labyrinth at Chartres, that God is the ultimate source of everything that is good. Eventually, Easter hope will rise up over evil and sin and death.
Despite the many emotions and difficulties we have known during this pandemic, as well as our own personal doubts, fears and misgivings, we know that the power and promise of Christ, the Risen Lord, will prevail. Though God can seem absent in times of pain, change and despair, we trust that we can rediscover God in the acts of love, support and healing extended to us by others.
Peter’s faith in God’s mercy resonates with all of us who have experienced times of crisis, and know the compassion of God in the love and support of family and friends.
Let Jesus’ “words of eternal life” be the light that illuminates your own daily “labyrinth” walk. Know that although your journey of life may sometimes seem lonely and precarious, the presence of God will be with you. Take a labyrinth walk this weekend!
Father Don
