Walk in Glenariff

On a cool summer’s day
we drive to Glenariff –
a place of great beauty
and peace.

Sunlight filters
through the trees
as we walk along forest paths
by gushing streams
and churning waterfalls.

Raspberries and bilberries
are plentiful
along our way –
a perfect excuse
to munch
and catch our breath
on a steep climb.

Rowan tree branches droop
with heavy bunches
of ripe, red berries.
Tall pom-pom shaped flowers,
cornflower blue,
sway and move
in the breeze.

Birds cheep, chirp and call
as we pass.
An ink-black butterfly poises
motionless
before fluttering away,
his wings ablaze with colour.

A friendly farmer
who pauses to chat
about his sheep.

So much to see, sense
and savour
as we dander along.

So much beauty
to surround us
and lift our hearts
in dark times.

Thank you, Lord!

© Claire Murray, 16th August, 2021

Obstacle

Simon Peter
was a great friend
to Jesus
and a great apostle.
He was the first
to acclaim Jesus
as the Son of God.
Jesus in turn
held Peter in great esteem.

And yet,
only minutes after pronouncing,
“You are Peter
and on this rock
I will build my church”
Jesus had occasion
to chastise Peter,
describing him as
a stumbling block,
an obstacle in His path.

You see Peter
tried to dissuade Jesus
from undergoing
all of the suffering
that lay ahead of Jesus –
suffering that was central
to God’s plan for us.

Despite the best of intentions
Peter was proving to be
a stumbling block
for Jesus
and His church.

Perhaps each of us
in this church
that is founded on Peter –
from the lay person
those in the highest echelons –
need to ask ourselves
what our role is –
by our actions
are we helping to bring about
God’s kingdom on earth
or are we
despite our best intentions
proving to be
an obstacle
in Jesus’s path?

(Matthew 16: 17-23)

© Claire Murray, 13th August 2021

God with the Israelites

The book of Exodus describes
how God accompanied
the Israelites
every single day
in the wilderness.
God appeared to the Israelites
as a cloud that was clearly visible
by day and by night
over the tabernacle.

God’s presence to the Israelites
was very real,
very visible …
and very reassuring.

Lord,
you accompany us
every single day
during life’s journey,
no longer in the form
of a cloud
but more in a
footprints-in-the-sand
sort of a way.

Bless us today, Lord,
in the many challenges
and difficulties
that we face.

Help us to sense that
every time we go to Mass
your presence is
very real,
very visible
and very reassuring,
just as it was
for the Isrealites
during their time
in the wilderness
so long ago.

© Claire Murray, 1st August 2021