Walking With

Walking With

A reminiscence of travelling to St Chad’s Cathedral as a young man discerning his vocation.

At last, the 50 bus arrived,

this day in tandem, one behind another, on the High Street.

Take your pick, but don’t jump the queue!

I hop on board and rest my feet, as I gingerly take my seat.

These seats were sometimes covered with material,

or nearly thread bare.

Sometimes covered with discarded gum,

sometimes wet, but this day quite dry,

nevertheless, they housed this person

who on entering had paid his “exact change” fare

As we got closer to town the bus would fill,

until nearly full

the destination was reached

and off everyone got.

As town was the terminus stop.

The town centre was always full of people I recall.

Shopping, walking, talking in vibrant conversation,

people milling around, crouching down, standing tall.

These were the days,

before mobile phones were stuck to ears

where people speak out loud while walking on their own,

instead the air was filled with noise and chattering laughter,

banter between the sellers and the consumer

both sides of the counters looking to see what they could get.

Some were looking for that bargain of a lifetime,

spending money, even when they did not have the money in the bank just yet.

I loved a stop in HMV

to browse and flick through albums

to find a song or artwork on covers that spoke to me.

The bustle of the crowd

was a feature of the walk across town,

shoulder to shoulder

heading for sanctuary,

whether that be a shop,

a café, a gooey cream cake, eaten on the street,

or the Big Mac or KFC or even for me

walking towards the tranquillity of another sanctuary

As the cathedral came in sight, each spire gave me a clue for its purpose; planted on the earth, rooted firmly in the memory of construction.

Yet pointing towards the sky, to a silence of immeasurable beauty, this a sacred place that stood on earth, but promised the heights of heaven.

Named after St Chad,

a merry monk of old,

of good standing.

A preacher, a pastor outstanding.

St Chad carried people to God, this cathedral built as a bridge to carry the faithful towards heavens height.

For the prayerful perosn, a most welcome sight,

Constructed to walk with the people, 

Who are mesmerised by stained glass and Pugin designed, ornate walls and steeple.

Some of these people grazed the pews occasionally  

others sat at length worshipping.

Some like me visited after first shopping!

All raising hearts, minds and soul; 

offering thoughts were joy would take hold, 

where all anxieties cease. 

Searching for and finding peace.

On leaving, 

engaging in the ritual of soaking hands in Holy water 

and with a blessing tumbling out through the impressive wooden door. 

Out into the Birmingham air, to walk with all humanity once more.

Afterwards, with a little emotion of thanksgiving 

I rode silently back home on the 50 bus, surrounded by the noises of living.

That’s how it was when I was a lad

back then in Brum, growing up,

things don’t change that much.

I suspect that’s how it always will be,

the church walking with us,

while quietly, stoically, standing regally

in the Queensway

enabling us pilgrims to reflect upon the journey

one in which we all participate in gladly

or at least in company

as we walk with,

and we accompany,

seeking the word of God spoken

and his presence too,

in the gentle embrace

of his sacramental touch.

Fr Patrick Brennan © 2021

I could subtle the above as The Synod is not new! It is a process of journey and walking with one another. something we as a church are engaged in from birth, to death. Lord, Jesus as we listen to you, help us to accompany our fellow pilgrim with mutual respect and love. Sometimes looking back at our story it s a joy to see that the Lord was walking with us each step of the journey.