Imagine
what it would be like
if Jesus was in Belfast,
right here among us,
right here, right now?

Who would he choose
to be his close friends?
Where would they hang out?
What would they talk about?

In my mind’s eye
I see Jesus
sitting at one of the monuments
outside Belfast City Hall
surrounded by such a motley crew –
bin men and street sweepers,
brick layers and electricians,
postmen and traffic wardens,
alcoholics and beggars,
joy-riders and glue sniffers,
students and college lecturers,
civil servants and unemployed.

A real assortment of people –
Catholics and Protestants
from the Falls and the Shankhill,
people of all shapes and sizes,
wealthy or living on benefits,
suited or casually-dressed,
uniformed or wearing high-visibility vests,
some well-spoken, some swearing profusely,
others speaking broken English.

Such a hotch-potch of people
all gathered around Jesus
and talking earnestly
about love.

Imagine
how strange that would be
and how amazing!

© Claire Murray, 23rd August 2014