A bad coughing fit strikes
just before Communion
and I have to leave Mass
unexpectedly.

Outside our wee chapel
I stand among the cars,
looking up at Divis Mountain
as I wait for my coughing fit
to cease.

And as I stand there
something that Mother Angelica said
in one of her TV broadcasts
springs to mind.

Mother Angelica said,
that she knew the answer
to the question posed
in the spiritual hymn,
Were you there
when they crucified
my Lord?

She reckoned
that her personal answer was –
‘Yes!
Every morning
when I go to Mass.’”

This makes a lot of sense
to me.

And so,
standing outside
among the parked cars,
I silently give thanks to God
for keeping this cough at bay
long enough
for me to be able to stay at Mass
during the Consecration.
Long enough
for bread and wine
to be transformed
into the body and blood
of my Lord.

Okay,
so today I wasn’t blessed
with being able to receive
the precious body and blood
of Christ.
But I was blessed
with being able to stay at Mass
long enough to be able to say,
“I was there
when they crucified
my Lord.”

How wonderful is that?

© Claire Murray, 30th March 2023