I'm longing to see this Jesus the Christ; the one I hear so much about. I'm very excited to meet the man who walked on water, the one who calmed the sea and the same, some say, who lives in you and me. But there seems to be a locked door of sorts to my heart's house and I miss all that's in store. So to Him I give my work, my joy, and suffering and I pray for the peace that He brings. The crowd parts and I see at long last the face of Christ the King. He smiles brightly and hugs me tightly and says "my beloved Child, I love you more than you could know." "I am staying at your house tonight. We shall rejoice and be glad." and I reply "My Lord and my God! I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. Some rooms are cluttered with broken glass and things, windows boarded up and dust. But what I have is yours Lord: the good the bad and the fair. Though it hurts, I want my heart to be a place for you to stay"

Lord I want my heart to be a place you want to stay. I want to be able to say "Welcome Home Lord!" and be sincere and proud of this home that is my body this home that is my soul. There are places that are secret to others, things I am ashamed of, ugliness. Help me remember that you love me. You love all of me. You died for all of me not just parts of me. Thank you Jesus for that amazing gift! At Eucharist and Thanksgiving in communion with each other and connected by perfect love, help me to welcome you more fully into the temple of my body and to welcome you into my physical home. Give us the courage and the confidence to say "We Love you Jesus. Welcome Home!"

Just as we welcome you into our homes, Jesus, we are thankful that you continue to take us back and run out to us. Thankful that you are celebrating and welcoming us back home when we ask forgiveness and attempt, by your grace and strength, to avoid the things, to cut out/off the things that cause us to be tempted and to sin.

Amen