THE WORD
Is 61,9-11 /Lk 2,41-51
Each year Jesus parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
IN OTHER WORDS
The incident of the young Jesus getting “lost” may seem typical of young people who yearn to be free or to be on their own, free of parental guidance. For Joseph and Mary, it gave them some anxious moments as they worried about their young son’s safety. Finding him in the temple was a great relief for them. Finding him in the temple conversing with the teachers gave them an inkling of what the young boy could be capable of: dispensing wisdom and understanding.
For Mary, it was just another of those moments she would keep in her heart. As we mark today this special celebration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we are reminded of moments with Jesus like this that would fill up her life. We cannot imagine what feelings were evoked in her as she watched her child grow up. After the temple incident, we are told that “he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them”. We suppose that there were no more incidents like this, and life went on quietly in Nazareth. The picture of a perfect family life would be assumed.
Reflecting on this episode, we may think of the conditions being endured by families nowadays: broken families, dysfunctional families, and families separated by economic necessities. Many challenges face parents and children alike. The absence of proper parental guidance for children growing up may result in more individuals who become problematic in society. The example of the simple family in Nazareth is given for us to ponder. They lived simply, accepting their lot, staying together. Perhaps they did not aspire for more wealth that could be acquired if Joseph or Mary ventured to go someplace and find better paying work. To them it seemed that being together was something more valuable than the any wealth could offer. They had faith in God who knew their needs and provided for them accordingly.
- Fr. Gil Alejandro, SVD | CT, Manila
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
