Today we renew the hope in eternal life, truly founded on Christ’s death and Resurrection. “I am risen and I am with you always”, the Lord tells us, and my hand supports you. Wherever you may fall, you will fall into my hands and I will be there even to the gates of death. Where no one can accompany you any longer and where you can take nothing with you, there I will wait for you to transform for you the darkness into light.
Benedict XVI, Angelus 11/2/2008
When there's nothing left but ending, when your feet run out of road, when there's nowhere but descending, Christ is there before you go. Where there's nothing you take with you, empty handed in the dark, hope is just a dying glimmer: Christ is there to strike the spark. He is waiting, Word eternal, where the weeping make no sound, so come all you heavy burdened: Let your weary soul sink down. Let the earth receive your grieving; let it soak into the sands. Deeper far than all believing, there youa re within his hands. There he cradles you in sorrow; there he holds you to his breast. Though you rise with him tomorrow, yet for now you shall have rest. Lay your burden down in darkness; let the seed fall to the soil. Sleep must come before the harvest; you shall share the feast of joy.
Jakub Schikaneder – All Souls’ Day – Ophelia2, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12453561
Kate Bluett 