Prayer: Closing Prayer read at a Memorial Service, 2000

Beloved earth, We return to thee this dust briefly lent for our delight
and hallowed by our love.
Within this little space has the far world been housed.

Eternity has been its guest.
Holy rituals have there been kept in celebration of the goodness of days.
To keep this last high feast in praise of life, we are come.

Here at the moment of its going, the light of its mystery falls upon us.
All human experience stands out with poignant clearness.
We know ourselves to be part of a great miracle.

Somehow this bit of dust was awakened to incomparable beauty.
Some power filled it, stirred it into tenderness and love, lifted life to levels of good.
Now we give it to Thy great care, and a soul unto Thee.