Love me until the end, O Christ,
until the ashes of this body
match the dust of these feet,
and together they fold into
the holiness of earth’s soil.

Love me until the end, O Christ,
until every word is finished and
every argument laid to rest
in the shallow grave of the ego,
until wisdom sings its freedom.

Love me until the end, O Christ,
until only memories keep us alive
with their once-upon-a-time tales
of cups that overflowed with laughter
and bread that became holy flesh. 

“…Jesus loved them to the end.” (John 13:1b)