Labyrinth experience 18/6/2023
This Sunday afternoon we are meeting to explore labyrinths and the monastic tradition of Scotland. It will be a brief introduction, with feet on the ground activities.
Gathering in Peace
We meet in Jesus name. Whether you consider yourself a close friend or are just curious, we meet in Christs peace. Peace be with you.
Settling
As we meet we remember those of the Christian family who have lived here before us, and those who have lived here loved by God before Jesus walked the earth.
We look out across the strath to the furthest place we can see, and allow our mind to wander through stories back in time to the earliest glimmer of the light of God we think of.
Then drawing back towards ourselves and our gathering today we look around and become aware of glimmers of God with us now.
Activity
Labyrinths are far older than Christianity, but Christians adopted them to help them pray, and carved them into cathedral floors. They can help people who cannot travel physically go on pilgrimages. The pattern helps shape our thoughts and guide our minds.
Monasteries adopt rules. One of the ways in which these rules help is to structure daily life around prayer. Prayer and labour, waking and sleeping, eating and reading, drinking and signing, all take place in a balanced order.
This activity combines both of these into an accessible activity for today. We will draw on the monastic liturgical tradition of the hours, and then walk the labyrinth. You are invited to use the journey through the labyrinth to reflect on the reading.
Calling
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth will proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Kyrie
We will sing a Kyrie
Kyrie Eleison (echo)
Christe Eleison (echo)
Kyrie Eleison (echo)
Psalm 116
1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“Lord, save me!”
5 The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The Lord protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
8 For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
10 I trusted in the Lord when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;
11 in my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.”
12 What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
14 I will fulfil my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful servants.
16 Truly I am your servant, Lord;
I serve you just as my mother did;
you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the Lord—
in your midst, Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord.
Reading
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 9 35-38
Walking reflection
Still yourself at the start of the Labyrinth. You could simply use the pattern of letting go as you enter, resting in the centre and then revitalising yourself on the way out.
You are invited to reflect on the reading as well. On the way in remember ways in which you have experienced “The Good News of the Kingdom of Heaven”. At the centre rest, invite the Holy Spirit to comfort you. On the way out, allow imagined ideas of where the harvest might be experienced to come to mind.
Intercession
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.
Deep peace of Christ,
of Christ the light of the world to you.
Deep peace of Christ to you.
Blessing
The Spirit of truth lead you into all truth, give you grace to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and to proclaim the word and works of God; and the blessing of God almighty be with us all, evermore
Amen.
We will then go and find some refreshment at the Crichton café and discuss plans…
Since it is midsummer in the middle of the week we will also be participating in Creative Caerlaverock’s launch event and holding a Forest Church service on the Hill of the Maxwells/Wardlaw hill.
(meet at 3pm at the small car park near the main road on the way to the castle – later than normal to allow people to participate in the same sex marriage discussion at St Johns after the 11 O’clock service).