I take the 20 to and from work. On the bus ride home I pass the Saint Paul Lutheran Church on 17th and Grant. Besides the general peaceful/tranquil aura which illuminates from the magnificent edifice, there is a giant maroon banner inviting passersby to participate in a labyrinth on Wednesdays from 11:30 - 2:30.
Ouch, it hurts to pass this by and to know that I can never attend. I can't think about anything else I'd rather do on Wednesdays at noon. But the job (working with middle school English Language Learners - ELLs) that rips my heart out and brings me to my knees daily prevents me from attending this labyrinth. I prefer the symbolic path towards God in a tranquil, candlelit atmosphere which brings me towards the center rather than the socio-educational path that brings me to my knees in the teachers' bathroom on the second floor.
I know I can create a "labyrinth-experience" with God anytime and anywhere, but right now it sure would be nice to just "show up" somewhere spiritual. What I loved about House Church was the ideas of "being the church" rather than just "showing up at a church," but right now working a crazy-stressful job, transitioning back to Denver-life and taking two nightly grad school classes every week, I feel like I don't have time for anything but "showing up." So, it's not a labyrinth, but I'm planning on showing up at Mass at the Catholic Cathedral down the street tomorrow night and my soul is ready.
