Not Jerzy Popiełuszko, but Joseph

Not all could be Jerzy Popiełuszko.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are millions who would simply adopt the ways described in “Staying in Hong Kong”.

Perhaps there’s a niche for those who are in a reasonable position of influence.

It could be that of Joseph.

Who was Joseph?

Not talking about Joseph the carpenter, the Father of Jesus.

People may not know who Joseph was but most must have heard of the expression “the empty tomb.”
Joseph was probably the owner of that tomb.
He loaned it to be used for putting Jesus’ dead body from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.

It’s easy for generations to gloss over the price Joseph had to face loaning his tomb under the circumstances.

Just imagine when Joshua Wong in however many decades later would be released from prison, a “Joseph” in Hong Kong takes him in his flat.

Or if someday someone in HK asks HK government to let the body of Jimmy Lai rest in that person’s prepared tomb after Lai suffered a Navalny!

There’s reportedly a crime called “sitting together”（連坐罪）， which describes Joseph’s risk aptly.
With recent legislative actions in HK, that could easily become a criminal offence in statutes.

So it’s really an unknown how the act of asking for Jesus’ body to be placed in the unused tomb would cost Joseph.
The Bible is silent.

Why did Joseph do what he did?
Did it have anything to do with his faith, religion, or person?
The Bible is silent too.

It could only be conjectured.

The passage in Luke (23:50-54, NLT) describes Joseph this way:
o    good and righteous man
o    a member of the Jewish high council
o    had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders
o    he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come

It seems reasonable to deduce from the above that Joseph was a Jew who abided by the Laws of Moses, thus “legally righteous”.
He also acted over and above the Laws of Moses required and thus “good”, emulating the only God who is good.

Joseph was in the assembly with some decision power being “a member of the Jewish high council”.
But he wasn’t a rubber stamp or just voted “yes”, “present”, or “abstain”.
He disagreed.
That didn’t mean muted or silent.
“Disagreed” should be a visible and known position, though neither necessarily violent nor vocal.
It’s a “no” vote.

Finally Joseph embraced a hope that is beyond time and will straighten all things out—evils repaid and righteous vindicated.
That’s the Jewish Kingdom of God.

How would a Joseph look like in HK nowadays?

It would definitely be tough to suggest a parallel between first century Palestine and 21st century HK.
But however, give it a try.

Anyone who wishes to emulate Joseph must have a reasonably respected authoritative position in society.
It would be best to be in the cabinet such as ExCo member or ex-official ExCo member.
Failing that perhaps LegCo member.
One notch lower, perhaps appointed member of statutory bodies or advisory committees such as Housing Authority or Advisory Council on the Environment.
At least a founding member of DAB or a senior member of Catholic, Protestant church or Buddhist institution and the like.

Clearly, the person ought to be seen upright as per his/her religious commandments plus being known for kindness and goodness towards others.

It’s already quite difficult in nowadays HK.

To make it more difficult, Luke’s passage requires that the person must neither be a “yes person” or a mute.
This could be the most objective observable trait.

The final one is more of something like people are saying in all spheres, the IT Factor.
One either has it or doesn’t!

Someone who has the conviction of hope for the Kingdom of God must be emanating sphere of magnetic or whatever forces that it becomes unmistakable.

Is there that person in HK?
Does the President of the largest seminary like Evangel Seminary or Alliance Bible Seminary qualify?
Or Senior or emeritus leader of churches and institutions that meet in their own self standing premises like Yan Fook, Tung Fook, and Kowloon Tong Alliance, or Breakthrough qualify?
Presumably while they might lack authority they would weld a lot of influence in their members who might count amongst them like the Finance Secretary?

Would any of those people above dare to leave the company of “yes men and women”?
Would a qualified reader aspire to it?

Or a Joseph in HK now a mere romantic construct?

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

Luke 23:50-54 (NLT)
“Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.”