It’s morning time in Bordeaux.
Our two girls,
Aoife and Niamh,
with money burning a hole in their pockets,
have headed off on a spending spree
leaving Paul, Fiachra and I to head off
in search of the Cathedral of Saint André.
Once there,
we find the tiny side-chapel
of the Sacred Heart,
a quiet place
where we can sit in peace, silence
and prayer,
away from the hustle and bustle
of curious tourists.

The hot summer sun outside
lights up stained glass windows
depicting Gospel scenes
in simple colours
and yet, inside,
the side-chapel remains
in semi-darkness.

I feel at home here.

We sit in the stillness
at prayer
and as I quietly give thanks to My God
for the precious gift
of this family time together,
I sense My God whisper to me,
“Peace to you, Claire!”

While savouring this welcome gift of peace
I think of friends
for whom I am praying specially today.
I pray that God’s peace
may touch their lives
right now
on this beautiful summer’s morning
and make this day
for each of them
a blessed one.

(C) Claire Murray, 7 August 2015