But I have considered it necessary to send to you
Epaphroditus,
my brother,
my fellow worker
and my fellow soldier,
and
your messenger
and (your) minister of my need.
For he was longing for you all
and distressed
because
you heard that he was sick.
For he was sick near to death.
But God had mercy on him,
and not only on him
but also on me.
So that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.
So I sent him eagerly,
so that seeing him
you would rejoice again
and I might be without sorrow.
So welcome him
in the Lord
with fullness of joy
and hold in honour such people
because
for the work of the Christ
he came close to dying
risking his life
so that he could make up for your inability
to minister to me.
Thank you, dear Jesus,
for all you have given me,
for all you have taken away from me,
for all you have left me.
Thomas More (c.1478-1535)