Edges Issue 17: Priests can also be Fractured by Life

EDGES MAGAZINE Issue 17

April/May 1999

PRIESTS CAN ALSO BE FRACTURED BY LIFE
	At the heart of priestly ministry is brokeness. As the priest consecrates the bread and wine, the words "He took, He broke, He gave, " are at its centre. Then a few moments later he breaks the bread apart in order for the community to be fed.

The human frailty of every person is the priest's also. Forsaken, abandoned, deserted, discarded, are not the words we expect to describe the priestly ministers. Yet, more than we may think fall into these painful categories and there are many who weep silently and unknown and suffer deeply and intractably.

So where do these priests and bishops fit in? Unfortunately, nowhere very often. Priests and bishops, with the problems of human nature, often disappear from sight for a long time or forever. But is this the Gospel? And how does the Christian community really heal? Equally importantly, how do we welcome back so that the broken can minister again with even greater effect to the many who are broken?

R.S. Thomas in his poem "The Kingdom" writes:

"It is a long way off but inside it
there are quite different things going on:
....... mirrors in which the blind look
at themselves and love looks at them back:
and industry is for mending
the bent bones and the minds fractured by life.
It's a long way off, but to get there takes no time
and admission is free, ....................."

Here at St. Anne's House, the home of Edges Magazine, we would like to think that we might have some contribution to make to those called to be priests of this Kingdom, who through the fracturing of life, may need to be loved back into it.

FATHER JOHN MICHAEL HANVEY