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Finding Lost Hope in the Temple
Photo meditation
By Joseph R. Veneroso, M.M.
Concern turns to worry turns to fear
With each passing day and night
Without a word or sign as to where
Their missing son might be.
Hurried steps go faster still
First here, then there, then nowhere
Praying elusive peace replaces growing panic
Struggling mightily to trust all will yet be well.
Perhaps worst of all: the haunting thoughts
And dreadful imaginings of what horrors
May or may not be taking place
As thoughts of What If displace What Is.
At length they return to Jerusalem
Where today’s sorrow buries last week’s joy
And crowded alleys offer a thousand faces
Save the one whom their hearts seek.
Drawn to the Temple there to pray
In desperation and defeat
With tears of relief beyond all telling
They find him among the elders
How could they know that in this
Their temporary anguish they were granted
A foretaste of a deeper loss
A more sublime reunion still to come?
