Meditation and Prayer in Sickness

Funeral speaker Father Reding from Honora Zen Monastery meditating and reciting prayer in sickness.

Prayer in Sickness

Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God; you pour out your blessing of grace over the sick body and surround your creature with manifold love. graciously hear the invocation of thy name; Liberate your servant from sickness and restore health to him. Raise him up with your right hand, strengthen him with your might, protect him with your might, and restore him to your holy church with all the strength it desires. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Misfortune is the measure of character's greatness. (Giuseppe Motta)

Meditation

Today an ax rang loudly all morning and away until evening. The conductor builds. Just a canopy, but I'd like to see it, it's becoming, it's becoming. There was a carpenter who did a good job and cut his beam neatly. In good faith, the man tried to make the water run off his forehead. In the evening the master carpenter came quietly, a kind old man with a long curled beard. And touches the shoulder of the servant, who never wanted to rest, admonishing: "Dear one, celebrate now!"

Now the place was empty, but I crept out and sat down on the beam. Looking back at the axed day's work. I stared down, lost in thought, when a falling leaf hit me on the shoulder. I shuddered as I felt the leaf as if the Master's hand had touched me. And reminded me: Enough! The sun is far come in, servant, to the rest of your master!

Wherever you are, may you find the truth of life and death. Good luck on the final journey and may you find eternal peace and harmony. Life and death are the great matters. Time passes swiftly away.