From the Chaplains

Have you ever wanted to live in a castle or perhaps explored one on your travels? I love home renovation shows like The Block and My House Rules, but my favourite one is Escape to the Chateau where a British couple buy a run-down French chateau and transform it to all its former glory. Could you imagine what it would be like to finish your day, to return home to your very own castle? 

This week in chapel we heard the story of St Teresa of Avila, Spain. Teresa was the daughter of a knight and grew up next to the resplendent castles of Spain in the 1500’s. She was a quirky nun who authored a number of works still in print today. She is most revered for The Interior Castle, in which she describes the journey to be closer to God. In the book she explains that becoming closer to God is not simply a journey to church or to the holy places but is a journey within to an interior castle. 

She explains the journey home to God is like entering a castle within our heart. This castle is made of very clear crystal in which there are many rooms. Each room has an inner door, which opens to the next room, until you come to the centre of the castle. It is so light there that you can see God. That whenever we like, we can open the door of our heart, walk through the castle to find God.  

Her story reminded me of the passage when Jesus describes his ‘homecoming’ to be with his disciples as he and the Father making their home in them. 

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 

(John 14:23) 

As a response to learning about Teresa’s story, each of the students went on their own interior journey homeward through the use of a labyrinth. I’m not talking about watching the David Bowie movie, but rather than ancient Christian practice of prayer. You can find prayer labyrinths in most areas of Europe, the US and in even in Sydney. Praying with a labyrinth is a form of walking meditation, a physical expression of the interior journey towards Christ that characterizes all Christian meditation. A labyrinth is meditative “journey” into the “centre” of ourselves. Labyrinths can be “walked”, or the journey can be traced with a finger or coloured pen, even traced in sand. It can also be travelled mentally, with no body movement. 

Unlike a maze, which intends to trick and confuse. You cannot get lost in a labyrinth! Labyrinths are complex, geometric designs which are one long path, always leading to the centre and always leading back out to the beginning. We invited the students to enter their labyrinth with a feeling, a question or a burden they wanted lifted. As they journey through slowly, as their finger’s traced the path, we encouraged them to be mindful of their breathing, their mind, their heart and God’s presence with them. Upon entering the centre, in God’s presence, they may wish to sit, to shed the feelings they wish to leave as well as receive a gift. Upon exciting, moving back outside  we encouraged them to listen for their answer, to explore the lightness of the letting go and the ability to bring something back into the world. 

A Prayer On Journeying with God – by Annie Chen (Year 9) 

Loving and supportive God, 
You are our presence, our guide, and the Holy Spirit within us.  

As we hold hands and walk this journey together,  

You promise us perfect freedom 
Through every challenge we face, 
Every obstacle we overcome,  

And every light we see in the end. As we go after our passions 
And discover our true selves, 
We thank you for your guidance, 
Your patience, your uplift, and your kinship, Who has shaped us into beautiful beings, Growing through following your path.  

We stand ignited as transformed and growing people, Listening for your call. 

Amen.  

Reverend Cass Blake

College Chaplain