Hopeful Yearnings

Hopeful Yearnings

Ghostly shadows

of parishioners past,

sparkle in the colourful shards of light

that stream through stain glass in the afternoon sun

shimmering, dancing upon the static altar stone on the sanctuary.

Prayerful words

once piously uttered from pilgrim lips, echo silently in this sacred air

Memories of those

who once enjoyed an earthly company,

they the departed, bravely, resolutely, sometimes even softly

speaking shared words “I believe, firmly, truly”

in the hope of touching briefly the shores of heaven,

peering longingly through the stained glass

between earth’s leaving and heaven’s arriving,

advancing thoughtfully, moving slowly towards promised eternity. 

I pray for

no disappointment to spoil the expectation

or dull the promise of love that calls from pages of scripture,

so prayerfully written across hearts warmed by centuries of devotion.

In my turn today

resting upon knees pressed into welcome cushions

head bowed in anticipation of the crowning jubilation

of resurrection, waiting for confirmation of all our hopeful yearnings.

 Fr Patrick Brennan 2023 ©