In today’s Gospel
Jesus explains His purpose in life
to Herod –
“ … for this I came into the world –
to bear testimony to the truth.”
I find myself asking God,
“What about me, Lord?
What’s my purpose?”

I sense an answer from My God
that is instant, surprising
and delightful.
“Claire,
you are like the salmon.
You came from Me
and your purpose is
to find your way back to Me
during your time
on Earth.”

Immediately,
I think about the salmon
who return to the source
of the River Roe,
high up in the Sperrins
in springtime.

From wild Atlantic to Lough Foyle,
upstream to Limavady and Dungiven,
further upstream to Dungiven,
and yet further upsteam
to the shallow, gravelly river beds
of the small stream
near the Mass Rock
at Glenshane.

Salmon who journey
thousands of miles,
drawn inexplicably
to the exact, remote spot
in the Sperrins
where life for them began.

I give thanks to My God
for that still, quiet,
irresistible voice
deep within me
that draws me
closer to Him.
and I pray that, like the salmon,
I too may fulfil my purpose
and find my way
back my origin
during my time here
on Earth.

© Claire Murray, 30th October 2022
(John, 18: 33-37)