For My Priest and My Friend
For my priest, my pastor, my shepherd, my friend,
My “Father”, my empathy for you knows no end.
In these days of suffering, trial and pain,
It is you who I pray Our Dear Lord will sustain.
I always include you in my prayers as you know;
But, of late, I have prayed ever-fervently so.
My heart grieves because of the burden you bear,
Simply because of the collar you wear.
In no way can I fathom the pain you endure,
I just sense that it cuts to your soul’s very core.
A piercing which must be so hard to withstand,
a hint of the suffering of Christ’s opened hands.
You are the one who directs me, you are the one who shows me the way;
With a presence of love and of mercy, You are “Jesus” to me every day.
Through the Sacraments, His Presence is with me, it is He that you willingly share;
In your everyday words and your actions, by example you show that you care.
You teach and inspire me; I know that you pray
For me, for the faithful, and for those who have swayed
From the arms of God's love, that love the Church gives.
You pray that within us our dear Savior lives.
For now it is my turn give, and your turn to stand and receive;
From your vocation of selfless giving, its time for a moment's reprieve.
So open your heart to the prayers and the love
That's extended through me from our God up above.
Hang in there, dear Father, you are going to be fine
Find strength in your call, take it one day at a time.
It is my prayer, and of your other sheep too,
That the arms of God's love will carry you.
Rest in that love and the warmth of its glow
In the assurance you're trusted more than you know.
“God bless you, Father” (and may the whole world hear it!)
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Spirit.
Amen.
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