FOREVER PRIESTS
Having done banners for the year of the Eucharist and the Year of St Paul, we wanted to have something in the front hall for the year of priests. Our reflections together resolved them selves into this wall hanging
In the Old Covenant, before Aaron and his sons are consecrated as priests, Moses washes them with water (Leviticus 8:6). There may be an echo of this ritual in Christ’s washing of his disciples feet at the last supper, before his High Priestly Prayer (John 17:17-19) in which he asks the Father; as you have sent me so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself so that they may be consecrated in truth.
In this picture, a silk painting, made by the Sisters of Ty Mam Duw, water pours from the wounded hands of Christ the High Priest, over a priest consecrated by the Church. He looks up, experiencing this gift of renewal with joy and thanksgiving.
The priest is no longer young, yet between him and his Master, Jesus, there is a certain resemblance.
Looking at the priest’s face, it would be quite hard to imagine him as a father of four, or even as a bank clark or a bus conductor. The Sacrament he has received and a life dedicated to the service of the People of God has marked his kind, rather vulnerable face with humility and pain, innocence and joy, self-forgetfulness and prayer. Especially prayer.
Under the waters of God’s love the priest is surprised by the happiness that comes to those who live with the Lord who makes all things new.
