We seem to give back the dead to you, Lord,
who gave them to us.
But as you did not lose them in giving,
so do we not lose them by their return.
Not as the world gives do you give, O lover of souls.
What you give you do not take away,
for what is yours is ours if we are yours.
And life is eternal and love is immortal,
and death is only a horizon, and a horizon is nothing,
save the limit of our sight.
Lift us up, strong Son of God,
that we may see further;
cleanse our eyes that we may see more clearly;
draw us closer to yourself, that we may know ourselves
to be nearer to our loved ones who are with you.
And while you prepare a place for us,
prepare us also for that happy place,
that where you are we may be also,
for ever, and ever. Amen.
Rossiter W. Raymond, 1840-1918, American mining engineer, scholar and writer
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Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You believe in God; believe also in me.
My Father’s house has many rooms;
if that were not so,
would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me
that you also may be where I am.
prayer & verse 