by Julia Ong
(first posted January 2014)
Was it not
when the reputation of the honourable Joseph
was most vulnerable
that his response to God was most just?
Was it not
when Mary’s virginity
was evidently questionable
that she was most true?
Was it not
when the Holy Family had left home,
found no place for birthing,
turned refugees,
that they could home Christ?
Humble was Christ born a babe,
great was the patronage of Joseph the Worker
who has apprenticed not only a tecton
but the Boy to become Man.
Holy was this Family
who had grown the Son of God
and brought up all of humanity
in realisation of their dignity.
Blessed be all alchemists in our lives
for stripping our ego
ripping our masks
to purify the gold of our heritage.
Blessed be the fragrance of prayers
in solidarity with persons in pain
in companion with people suffering
that has frankincensed our lives
to become priests sacrificed.
Blessed be the Cross,
the triumphant overcome
across the myrrhy Paschal bridge
to surface the clarity of holiness.
What an epiphany!
What a gift!
What grace!
Julia, ij
