This week’s gospel reading has Jesus comforting his followers after telling them that he is going away. He tells them that he’s preparing a place for them.
Everyone loves the idea of being welcomed. We love the idea of place, being known, appreciated, and loved.
But it isn’t always easy to be the one preparing place. When people come to visit, we feverishly clean the stuff we think we ought to be cleaning more regularly. We prepare to make room. And yet, sometimes, when we do the visiting, we try to insist on not bothering with all that. We’re there to see them, not how clean the bathtub is.
Jesus is talking about getting on. He insists that they have what they need. This isn’t just about being a good host. He’s encouraging them to keep loving generously.