When I kneel down
at vigil Mass
I consider all of the intentions
that I have been praying for,
trying to decide
which of these to pray for
during this Mass.

I find myself wondering
whether My God ever gets fed up
with me
and everyone else
asking, asking, asking?

I remember the story
of the ten lepers
and how disappointed Jesus was
when only one returned
to say, “Thanks!”

I decide that during tonight’s Mass
I will pray in thanksgiving
for the many blessings
in my life.

And so I give thanks
for Paul and our children,
for love, health,
family and friends.

As it turns out,
today’s Gospel happens to be
my favourite –
The Visitation –
when Elizabeth says to Mary,
“Blessed is she who believed
that the promise made her by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”

Tonight, at vigil Mass,
I sense My God say those words to me.
I am convinced
that My God is already busy
taking care of my prayer intentions
and that my decision
to spend my time during Mass
in thanksgiving
was, indeed, the right one.

© Claire Murray, 19th December 2015