As part of the process of discernment - working through a sense of calling to the priesthood of the Church of England - I'm encouraged to read quite a lot and reflect on the things I've read. Sometimes those reflections are little more than introspective book reviews, sometimes they go a little deeper and, sometimes, the best way to express how I've reflected on something I've read is through poetry. Such is the case with my most recently read book, On Priesthood: Servants, Shepherds, Messengers Sentinels and Stewards, by Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Reading. As an examination of what it means to be a Priest in the Anglican tradition, it's really quite excellent, but one thing that stood out to me was Bishop Stephen's inclusion of poetry produced by those about to be ordained. He emphasises the power of poetry as prayer and, as such, I thought it would be the best way to reflect on the book as a whole. Here, then, is On Priesthood, my poetic response.
Faithful guardian of the flock
Entrusted,
Who leads,
Who protects,
Who guides and enables.
One who ripens the fruit
In others,
So the harvest may be gathered
In the world.
Faithful herald of the word
Delivered,
Who speaks,
Who teaches,
Who questions and provokes.
One who sows the seed
In each soil,
So the harvest may be gathered
In the world.
Faithful keeper of the mysteries
Revealed,
Who receives,
Who kindles,
Who treasures and polishes.
One who tends the fields
With care,
So the harvest may be gathered
In the world.
Faithful watcher of the horizons
Opened,
Who sees,
Who ponders,
Who reads and interprets.
One who quietly observes
The clouds
So the harvest may be gathered
In the world.
Faithful servant of the Lord
Humbled/Exalted,
Who waits,
Who loves,
Who empowers and lifts up.
One who gleans the sheaves
For the struggling,
So the harvest may be gathered
In the world.
