When Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus
to the temple,
a man called Simeon prophesied
that Jesus would be responsible
for the rise and fall of many.
We are told that Mary pondered these things
in her heart.

Sometimes it strikes me
that I should strive
to be more like Mary,
pondering things in my heart
instead of speaking them aloud.
I remember words spoken at Clonard
by Brother David Jardine –
“When someone annoys me,
I say, ‘I bless you, I bless you, I bless you.
And I say it as many times
as it takes.’”

Lord,
in this busy, challenging, unforgiving world,
there are many times
when I don’t see eye to eye with people.
Help me, when I feel annoyed,
to react in Christian way,
so that I ponder and I bless
instead of spreading discontent.
Give me a wee nudge
and remind me that,
in that situation,
you want me to be
a channel of your peace.

© Claire Murray, 14th April 2017