Priesthood: Prepared to Dream

Priesthood: Prepared to Dream

The oil on his hands

has long since dried,

youthful eyes had gazed

into episcopal eyes

resolved to guide, to serve.

The labour of the vineyard,

work and prayer,

finding fertile common ground

holiness holding its nerve.

Familiar the silence of the church

in the early morning.

Reverberating in the dew of grace

just as a new day was tentatively dawning

Captured by the hazy sight of heaven

touching reverently the fabric of earth.

Where body is broken, innocent blood poured

the faithful anchored in the same boat

move in single file to receive, affirmed of their worth.

A priest called by name

to be the conduit, the bridge,

ordinary moulded, enfolded into the extraordinary.

A soul embarked upon a journey

walking in shoes that fit, laced with a longing for eternity

Willing feet prepared to take a step of hope, of wonder

wiling for encounter, to wade into the healing stream.

Willing eyes keen to see, a heart that is still prepared to dream.

Fr Patrick Brennan 2022 ©