Brendan was in great form.
He was holidaying in Donegal
and a friend of his
had given him permission
to fish in the lake
at Glenveagh.

Glenveagh …
a huge estate that nestles
in the Derryveagh mountains.
A wild, rugged place
where golden eagles soar,
deer roam
and salmon leap.

No wonder Brendan
was in such good form!

A few hours later
as Brendan gathered up his catch
he spied someone
hard at work in the garden
near the castle.

Brendan dandered over
for a wee chat
and then, before leaving,
asked the man
if he would like a few of trout
he had just caught.
The man thanked him, smiled
and declined.
Brendan assured the man
that he had caught plenty of fish
and could easily spare a few.
Would the man like a few?
They would be lovely for his tea!
Again, the man smiled, thanked Brendan
and declined.
After a bit more of a chat,
Brendan headed on his way.

“That gardener mustn’t like fish”,
thought Brendan to himself
as he walked home.

Later that same evening,
the owner of Glenveagh Castle
visited the local pub
where he told fellow-drinkers
all about his afternoon
spent hard at work in his garden,
and about the polite stranger
who had kindly offered to give him
some of the trout
that the stranger had just caught
in his very own lake!

Brendan’s adventure at Glenveagh
pops into my head
as I pray the Rosary.
It’s the mystery of the Presentation
and I think of Mary and Joseph
who arrive at the temple
to present Jesus
to Almighty God.

At that moment,
Mary and Joseph are presenting to God,
God’s very own Son.
And it reminds me of Brendan
who so politely offered
to the owner of Glenveagh Castle
some of his very own fish.

I’m aware, too,
that God created me
and that I belong to Him.
And when I offer to do something
for God,
I’m only using gifts
that God Himself has given me –
gifts of life, health and abilities.
They all come from God, you see.
So, I’m not really doing a favour for God.
It’s the opposite, really –
God is giving to me
all that I have.
and I’m simply offering back to God
what really belongs to Him.

Isn’t that a bit like Brendan
as he offered Glenveagh trout
to the man who owned Glenveagh Lake?

I wonder if it makes God smile?

© Claire Murray, 26th January 2026