SEARCHING FOR JESUS (LK 2:41-52)
Prayer:
O Lord, may I always seek to find you.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus with his parents in the Temple.
Context:
Luke uses this story, when Jesus is twelve years old, as a bridge between the infancy stories and the public ministry (when Jesus was thirty). It portrays the transition from being Mary’s son to being the Son of the Father. When Mary finds him in the temple, Jesus reminds her that he must be in his Father’s house.
Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)
When his parents did not find the child Jesus among their relatives, they returned to Jerusalem looking for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, hearing them and asking them questions. All who heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers.
Seeing him, his parents were astonished and his mother said, “Son, why have you done this to us. Your father and I have sought you sorrowing.” He said, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I had to be in my father’s house?” They did not understand what he said.
He went down with them, came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom, age and grace before God and men.
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
- Like all parents, they search for Jesus with anxious hearts.
- Where else would they look, except in the temple.
- Jesus assumes the role of teacher in Israel.
- Mary can only speak of her own feelings.
- Jesus speaks of another world – his Father’s house.
- For now, Jesus’ mission is put off. He returns to the hidden years of Nazareth.
- These are very productive years, preparing him to assume his lifelong ministry.
Affections. (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- O Jesus, I long for you and I search for you.
- I, too, will find you in the temple, where you stay in the Blessed Sacrament.
- You are my teacher. I go to you for wisdom.
- O Mary, share your feelings with me.
- Jesus, bring me into your Father’s house.
- O Lord, I will prepare every day for my mission.
- Fill these years with your blessings.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will search for Jesus at every moment.
+ I will be obedient to Mary.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)
Your father and I have sought you sorrowing.