Hidden Codex: Fictive Scriptures by Jose Marte A. Abueg

A writer’s work is part, too, of his country’s sacred writ — a people’s memory. In HIDDEN CODEX: Fictive Scriptures we have a collection that is remarkable for its sensitive rereading of Biblical themes, its clarity and depth of moral insight, and its vigor of poetic voice and language.
- Gemino H. Abad

Biblical characters as literary characters: Adam inventing the names of things (in what may be the biblical origin of words); Eve contemplating the Fall; “wise men from the East” in journey and dialogue, with a young Balthassar asking the questions; a questioning, tormented Judas and an innocent, young John in conversation; Judas telling Mary, who had left a life of opulence in Magdala, about his prophetic dream; the Magdalene facing multiple temptations; Thomas in sorrowful contemplation of wounds; Simon Peter at a moment after his triple denial; Pharisee leader Caiaphas prophesying bigotry; Pontius Pilate in a lengthy monologue on the singular blame that would be placed on him; Iscariot in his bewildering final hours; characters minor and unnamed in the Gospels, such as “the goodman of the house” of the Last Supper. Across the varied, variegated moments, a series of poems — narrative, lyric, prose, and combinations — follows a thin, elementary thread from character to character, from fiction to fiction. In the end, one who was at the beginning has changed his path and finds simplicity and innocence.