When the Sun Shines

It’s a sunny day
in Belfast
so we pack a picnic
and drive off
to spend the day
at Ravensdale.

Unfortunately
the good weather doesn’t last
and by the time we arrive
the sun has disappeared
and the sky has darkened.

Oh, dear!
Time to don hats and gloves!

Our forest walk
is challenging –
steep uphills
and stoney paths
but we find peace here
and beauty.

Turning a corner
we emerge from the trees
and find ourselves
dazzled in sunlight.
Ahead of us
the path brightens
and our shadows stride before us
like giants.

The path is just
as steep and stumbly
as before,
yet our hearts lift
and our step is light.

Haven’t those few
moments of sun
simply transformed our walk?

In much the same way
that God transforms our lives
if only
we open our hearts
and invite Him in.

© Claire Murray, 15th January 2023

Authentic

Every single week
as I take my seat
at Latin Mass
one word springs to mind –
“authentic”.

The chapel I go to
is the simplest of chapels.
You won’t find any finery here
but what you will find
are all the essentials
for Holy Mass –
seats for the congregation,
an altar for the holy sacrifice
of the Mass,
altar rails for us to receive
Holy Communion,
Stations of the Cross and statues
to inspire us.

Nobody is drawn here
by grandeur
and yet every Sunday
this tiny chapel
is packed,
filled to capacity
by a devout congregation
that is steeped
in our Catholic faith.

In this tiny, cramped,
crowded chapel
we receive the Body of Christ,
truly present,
and we listen to the teaching
of the Holy Catholic Church
given to us
without compromise.

As I take my seat
on a simple, plastic chair,
the word “authentic”
springs to mind
and I give thanks to God
for bringing me
to this Latin Mass
celebrated simply, authentically
and uncompromisingly
every Sunday.

© Claire Murray, 24th November 2022

I Just Found God

The Water Boys sing a song
containing the lyrics,
“I just found God
where He always was!”
and this morning
as I enter our tiny chapel
for Latin Mass,
this is exactly
how I feel.

During Covid
we visit many churches
throughout Belfast
and far beyond
in our search for Sunday Mass.
This feels a bit
like being in a pin-ball machine,
shooting about
from parish to parish
as we try to find somewhere
that suits.

Nowhere feels just right.

Then one day
we step into the tiniest of chapels,
the simplest of chapels,
a chapel that feels to us
just right.

And where is this elusive chapel?
Right at the very top
of our street!

I just found God
where He always was!
Isn’t that amazing?
And isn’t that simply wonderful?

© Claire Murray, 6th November 2022