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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Drawn to the Temple there to pray
In desperation and defeat
With tears of relief beyond all telling
They find him among the elders
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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?
