In nature’s ebb and flow, God’s eternal law abides.
When tears dim our vision or grief clouds our understanding,
we often lose sight of God’s eternal plan.
Yet we know that growth and decay, life and death,
all reveal a divine purpose.

God who is our support in the struggles of life, is also our hope in death.
We have set God before us and shall not despair.
In God’s hands are the souls of all the living and the spirits of all flesh.
Under God’s protection we abide, and by God’s love are we comforted.
O Life of our life, Soul of our soul, cause Your light to shine into our hearts,
and fill our spirits with abiding trust in You.

The light of life is a finite flame.
Like the Shabbat candles,
Life is kindled, it burns, it glows,
It is radiant with warmth and beauty.
But soon it fades, its substance is consumed,
And it is no more.

In light we see;
In light we are seen.
The flames dance and our lives are full.
But as night follows day,
The candle of our life burns down and gutters.
There is an end to the flame.
We see no more
And are no more seen,
Yet we do not despair,
For we are more than a memory
Slowly fading into the darkness.
With our lives we give life.
Something of us can never die;
We move in the eternal cycle
Of darkness and death,
Of light and life.





My deepest condolences to the entire Avila family. The loss of Edward is a stunning blow to the extended family we call Arfcom.

His memory will live on as an inspiration to all of the brothers and sisters here who were touched by him, directly or indirectly.

He will not be forgotten, his spirit lives on in all of us.

Rest easy brother.