Monthly Archives: August 2022

Important for Us to be Here

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Many, many times
I have stood in line
for Communion
and thought,
“Lord, it is good for us
to be here!”

But today
a different thought strikes me,
“Lord, it’s IMPORTANT for us
to be here!”

I have a sense
that there is more
to attending this Latin Mass
than kneeling
in the presence of My God
in an atmosphere
steeped
in reverence, respect
and awe.

I have a sense that here,
in the very real presence
of Jesus,
I need to ask an important question –
“Lord,
what must I do
to inherit eternal life?”
(just like the young man
in Matthew’s Gospel).

It’s a question
that I need to ask frequently
as I strive to work out
my own salvation
one day at a time.

And so,
as I stand in line
for Communion
I am deeply aware
of how wonderful it is
to be here
and how important it is
to be here …
and I feel truly blessed.

© Claire Murray, 21st August 2022
(Matthew 19:16-20)

Living Life in Colour

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One long, dreary, rainy
afternoon
Mammy sticks her head
round the living room door
and delivers earth-shattering news
and to Brenda and me,
“Your Aunt Anna has a new TV
and it’s COLOUR!”

Seconds later
Brenda and I go haring
round the corner
to knock on our Aunt Anna’s door
and ask
if we can watch the cartoons.

Soon we are sitting on floor
in front of this new TV,
mesmerised,
as we follow the antics
of “The Pink Panther”
in all of his pink glory
for the very first time.

Wow!
We are absolutely dumb-struck!

Aunt Anna’s colour TV
has added the dimension of colour
to the world of cartoons
and our excitement
knows no bounds.
We soon begin to petition Daddy,
begging him to get for us
a colour TV,
just like Aunt Anna’s!

You know, in adulthood,
I often think
that living my life
with God by my side
is exactly like
living life in colour
instead of living life
in black and white.

I feel empowered
when confronted by situations
that are, apparently,
beyond my control
as I turn to God
in faith
and in prayer.

I sense the finger of God
guiding me through
the chaos of life.

I feel safe and reassured
when I rest, in prayer,
in the presence of God.

With God by my side
I sense that I live my life
in colour
and with some of that sense of wonder
that I experienced as a child
as I watched “The Pink Panther”
on Aunt Anna’s colour TV
for the first time.

I’m aware
that I have a choice –
live my life in colour,
with God by my side
or live my life in black and white
without God?

Hmmmmm ….
I think that’s what people call
a “no-brainer”!

© Claire Murray

First Saturday

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It’s the First Saturday
and we head off to Fortwilliam
for Latin Mass.

Before Mass
we pray the Rosary.
A lone voice
intoning the prayers,
answered prayerfully,
unhurriedly
and rhythmically
by a large congregation
so that wave after wave
of mighty prayer
fills the church.

Such a sense
of the tremendous strength
of this beautiful prayer!

A Mass conducted
with all of the respect, reverence
and decorum
that is so typical
of a Latin Mass.

Standing in line for Communion
I have such a strong sense
of the physical presence of Jesus
on the altar
that I get goose bumps.

Then,
the icing on the cake –
a blessing at the end of Mass
from a newly-ordained priest.

Time flies by
and as I leave the church
two hours after entering it,
I feel a sense of joy,
a sense of Jesus,
a sense of deep privilege.
Words fail me
and I think to myself,
“Wow!”

Next day I learn
that this First Saturday fell
on the feast of The Transfiguration
and suddenly
it all makes sense.

Isn’t that simply wonderful
and amazing?

Isn’t that simply … God?

© Claire Murray

Before I Formed You

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We are living
in unprecedented times.
Daily media broadcasts
concerning pandemics,
climate emergencies,
fuel shortages
and the culling of farm animals
on a global scale.

Some days
my head is just spinning.

This morning
as I settle down to pray
I read the words of Jeremiah:
“Before I formed you
in the womb
I knew you.”

These words
stop me in my tracks.

Instantly
I feel anchored.
Such a sense
of having been placed here
by My God –
here, in Belfast,
in these peculiar times.

A sense of being
not only placed here
but of being anchored here –
held firmly in place
by My God.
Right beside me
is my husband, Paul –
also steadfastly anchored.

My head no longer feels
like it’s spinning.
Instead, I feel reassured
and ready.

© Claire Murray, 28th July 2022
(Jer: 1-9)