The Fourth Word — Love Made Visible
Morning breaks.
The chapel smells faintly of coffee,
polish,
and damp hymn books.
They gather again.
Someone suggests a song.
“Shine, Jesus, Shine.”
The bluetooth player streams to life.
They begin, hesitant.
The chorus rises—
thin, awkward.
A couple attempt the hand claps.
It only makes it stranger.
They grin, embarrassed,
but keep singing.
When the last line fades,
the old priest clears his throat.
He stands slowly,
palms resting on the lectern.
“Deacons,” he says,
“are to seek out the poor,
the weak,
the sick and the lonely,
the oppressed and powerless.
To reach into the forgotten corners,
so that the love of God
is made visible.”
He pauses.
His voice softens.
“This is the holy work:
to embody Christ.
Not in grand gestures,
but in compassion,
in presence,
in touch.
If you want a plan,
start with two questions:
Who among us is most vulnerable?
And how can we respond
with love?”
He leans closer,
eyes bright with memory.
“The deacon is like a rescue ship.
Not tied in safe harbour,
but out in storm seas.
Searching for the battered,
the bruised,
those close to the rocks.
It is not reckless,
but it is risky.
For that is the way of Christ.”
He lets the silence breathe,
then names the faces that haunt him:
“The isolated elderly.
The addict.
The mentally ill.
The prisoner.
These are your parish too.
The rough pub,
the care home,
the bedsit,
the cell.
In those corners,
the love of God becomes tangible—
a food parcel,
a hug,
a listening ear,
a shoulder to cry on,
help with the bills,
a warm meal,
a word about King Jesus’ kindness.”
He smiles again,
gently.
“Deacons make the love of God visible.
That is your calling.
That is your joy.”
These reflections/poems are from Rev John Swales, MBE, who is mission priest for the Lighthouse project in Leeds (placements for deacons are offered there!). In Lent this year I published here a series of his meditations on diaconal ministry https://cofedeacons.org/2025/03/11/herald-of-christs-kingdom/
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 