Fr La’s weekly ‘Pause and Ponder’ from along the Pilgrim Path at Lough Derg. This week’s reflection is ‘Roots Unseen’.

Roots do their really vital work unseen;

they come into view only when in trouble.

Sometimes with violence in a storm of wind

the force above proves too much for the hold below

and, torn from the earth, the roots are left

up-ended, useless and exposed. 

This is the challenge higher up the slopes.

It is different down on the lough shore.

There the northwest winds in restless waves

conspire with water to work a constant quiet harm

until bare roots have lost all contact

with their living and lifegiving soil.

Lord as I look up to the light,

hidden down below in the dark

keep my roots safe.

Fr La Flynn

12 April 2021