Exile's Prayer

Jesus,
What a comfort to know that you are everywhere. Christmas is coming and I am underway: my heart is on board, it has taken to sea.

It has been a long time since I saw my family and my country. What happened to those I keep forever in my heart? For the hundredth time, take good care of them, Jesus, as you have always taken care of me. I thank you for these gracious hosts, who opened their homes to me: they treated me like their neighbor; over time, as one of their own.

My heart stares at the horizon, the fine line that separates sea from sky: I know you are coming, while I move closer.

All my life, I have been cut off from my homeland, but I constantly looked for it. I thought I was far from it, but over time I understood how fine was the border that separated me.

Christmas! I am almost there, I will soon touch shore: you Jesus, the Promised Land. I will not hold back my tears, O child, but they will be tears of joy.

Amen.