Loving God,

you care for all people -

  young and old,

  rich and poor,

  even the just and the unjust 

    upon whom your rain falls,

and it grieves your heart 

  when anyone of us fails to find 

   the good life you have for us.

I confess I'm not sure what it means 

  to receive anyone "in the name of a prophet"

  or "in the name of a righteous person"

  or even what their rewards might be. 

 But I go to bed with a heavy heart tonight

  knowing that there are "little ones" all over the world

  who are thirsty, or hungry, or alone, or afraid tonight 

  and in need of "being received", 

  given a cup of cold water,

  and a safe place to sleep.

I wish I had done more for them today.