We seem to give her back to Thee,
Dear God, Who gavest her to us.
Yet as Thou didst not lose her in giving,
so we have not lost her by her return.
Not as the world giveth, givest Thou, O Lover of Souls.
What Thou givest Thou takest not away.

For what is Thine is ours always, if we are Thine.
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 farther;
Cleanse our eyes that we may know ourselves nearer to our beloved who are with Thee.
And while Thou dost prepare a place for us,
Prepare us for that happy place.

That where she is, and Thou art, we too may be.


Adapted from Bishop Brent