Saturday, September 01, 2007

Meadering Path of the Spiritually Lost

The Labyrinth lady cometh. Rev.Dr. Lauren Artress (Episcopalian) is winding her way to Nebraska, bringing her spiritual practice with her:

"There are many ways to describe a labyrinth. It is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a crucible of change, a watering hole for the spirit and a mirror of the soul. May you be nourished."

Let me describe the labyrinth. It is a toilet of wasted time, a sink of prayer, a medicine cabinet of spiritual placebos, and a mirror of self-seeking. It has been weighed on the bathroom scale and has been found wanting.

With her "may you be nourished" line, it sounds like the labyrinth is more a substitute for the Eucharist than anything else. Is it really so difficult to seek Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and in our neighbors, that one has to wander on large-scale doodles?

Let us compare and contrast the winding way of the labyrinth versus the Gospel:

Proverbs 15:21 Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.

Isaiah 35:8 And a path and a way shall be there, and it shall be called the holy way: the unclean shall not pass over it, and this shall be unto you a straight way, so that fools shall not err therein.

Hebrews 12:12-14 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, And make straight steps with your feet: that no one, halting, may go out of the way; but rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness: without which no man shall see God.

Deuteronomy 27:18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of his way.

I know that there are many catholics who wander lost on these paths as well. Why is it that some would rather walk in circles rather than kneel in front of the Tabernacle?

3 comments:

Nicholodeon said...

But! but! but! She isn't using the tarot cards this time, is she?

This lady appears to be all the proof a person needs to point out the errors foisted upon Creation by practitioners and advocates of intellectualised Christianity.

Russ Rentler, M.D. said...

"It is a toilet of wasted time, a sink of prayer, a medicine cabinet of spiritual placebos, and a mirror of self-seeking. It has been weighed on the bathroom scale and has been found wanting.'

Great writing St. JB
God bless

The Digital Hairshirt said...

Jimbob, as usual, good writing!

However, in response to your last question, let me offer this - there are times (like right now) where my mind is racing in so many directions because of stress that to kneel in front of the Tabernacle would be fruitless, as my own mental state would keep me from remaining focused on Him within. At times like that, action is needed.

HOWEVER, I will say that walking a labyrinth is not the answer. Instead, I head out and do some grunt work and afterwards take the time to give God the glory due for providing me with the means to do it. I can relate to the recent stories on Mother Teresa - dark times of the soul, but even when she felt her faith was not there, she still got up and at least acted like a Catholic.

Tell you what, if I want to take a walk with God, I find Him more present on a crowded city street than idling around concentric circles. And more opportunities to put His Word into action.