Love washes over

Priesthood: 30 years navigating its flowing waters.

In celebrating 30 years as a priest this year I become more aware that my life continues to be rooted, grounded, and bound to the Eucharist. I want to be where Christ is present. In the Mass I am standing in the very presence of the divine. It intrigues me, fascinates me, draws me inwards to contemplate Christ crucified, until an overriding feeling consumes me. I am conscious that my vocation to the priesthood is all about love, and always has been. Christ’s presence is an all-consuming love, and the rest of the work of being a priest flows from that love and journeys towards that love too.

These following words are written in reflection of the above.

Love Washes Over.

Cooling, the waters of baptism sweet initiation into life’s fulness

imbued with a calling to love, to be loved, to strive for life’s holiness.

Flowing over my new-born head

saturating the very bones of my infancy

Love, like a carpet of spring flowers in a meadow caressed with summer rain, washes over me.

Stood silently at the altar

aware of love’s consuming presence

love is spoken with purposeful endeavour.

In consecration, revealing Christ’s broken body

risen flesh, blood poured out in sacred mystery

held ever so tenderly in trembling, unworthy hands

love, that one word, abiding still, enduring forever.

Fr Patrick Brennan 2022 ©