It’s Lent, and this year
Paul and I are making a visit
to the chapel every week
for about half an hour
to spend time in prayer
before the tabernacle.

Warm air greets us
as we push open the door
(it’s cosy in here!)

Once we’re kneeling in our seat
I look at the sanctuary.
Along the back wall,
slap-bang in the middle,
is a golden tabernacle.
A massive crucifix
hangs above it.

My eyes are drawn up
to the crucifix
and one word comes to mind –
Jesus.
My eyes are then drawn
to the tabernacle
and, again, one word comes to mind –
Jesus.
My eyes flick up to the crucifix –
Jesus
and back down to the tabernacle –
Jesus.

I look up – Jesus
and I look down – Jesus.
Somehow, I can’t take my eyes away
from the crucifix and the tabernacle –
Jesus … Jesus,
Jesus … Jesus.

Jesus is really here,
in this tabernacle,
in the form of a tiny wafer,
the size of a fifty-pence piece.
Isn’t that just awesome?
(and I mean that literally!)

I find myself wondering …
I came here today
with the attitude
that I was almost doing God a favour
by coming here.
But I can’t help feeling
that I got this oh, so wrong.
it’s Jesus, Almighty God,
who is doing me a favour
by always being present
here, in the tabernacle –
always present here
for me.

And as we leave the chapel
some time later,
I find that I’m already looking forward
to making our next visit.

© Claire Murray, 18th March 2025