Jesus and his Disciples, Rembrandt [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Let me hold fast to you, beautiful Lord,
whom angels themselves yearn to look upon.
Wherever you go, I will follow you.
If you pass through fire, I will not flinch,
I fear no evil when you are with me.
You carry my griefs, because you grieve for my sake.
You passed through the narrow doorway from death to life,
to make it wide enough for all to follow.
Nothing can ever now separate me from your love.
Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153, French abbot and Cistercian mystic
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So [Jesus] told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.
And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe.
Come, let’s go see him.”
Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples,
“Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”
prayer & verse 