Prayers for Uncle Virgil

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant Virgil, being raised with him, may know the strength of his presence, and rejoice in his eternal glory; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother Virgil. We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Father of all, we pray to you for Virgil, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Virgil. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

From The Burial of the Dead, Rite II, The Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

I Watched a Woman Tear Her Clothes Today

I watched a woman tear her clothes today,
As she saw her now-dead husband's body.
"Why, oh God, why? Mitch*, I miss you!
So close to going home!"
Pressing her face to his neck,
Rubbing his hand against her cheek.
Shoes off, kneeling on the floor,
Covering his body with tears.

"You're with Jesus now,
There is no more suffering there."
I stood silently as emotional support.
This isn't real life.
People don't tear their clothes from grief.
Not in real life.
This is something you read about.
That could be me in tears on the floor.

He survived this procedure many times before.
But his lungs just couldn't take it.
"Guess I'll have to call a funeral home.
He worked so hard and was doing so good."
Pray our daughters' hearts aren't hardened.
Jesus, redeemer of the world,
We commend Mitch to you.
I watched a woman tear her clothes today.

Oh God, You're Dying