Greetings on this the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Readings: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5.; Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17; Lk 2:41-52
Summary
The Boy Jesus in the Temple portion today is in the gospel of Luke and is also the 5th and final Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary. How this is a joyful mystery as the story of Mary and Joseph is one of anxiety and frustration?
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.”
Parents worry about their children and want the best for them. His father and mother had reasonable concerns for their son but not the fullness of their concerns. The parents of Jesus didn’t always get it right. Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?
No doubt Jesus’ response was both reassuring and disconcerting. Reassuring as he has found a home in the Church. Disconcerting because we though we are his only home. Yet, we have many homes. Our birth home. Our town home. Our Church home. And happily for many, Our marriage home.
Home, then, is where the heart is. The story is a joyful mystery as know the Lord cares for us and makes a home for us with him wherever we are.
The temple story brings another important point. It completely skips the ordinary needs of Jesus. I mean, where did he sleep? What did he eat? How was he able to bathe, where was the latrine, was he safe, was he cold at night, and the questions go on and on.
But they did not understand what he said to them.
Children are a wonder. Their thinking process is very different from fully mature persons. But they thrive nonetheless.
Jesus was ‘at home’ at home and in the temple.
At Home
He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
At Temple
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.
Reflection
If home is safe and loving, then the world is too. Here is an old story illustrating the point.
Two Brothers On a Journey
There were twins on a journey
and they walked at different paces but were together throughout.
As the first twin approached a city he asked local man, “What are the people like in the city?”
The man answered, “What are they like from the city you came from?”
He replied, “They are mean, disrespectful and greedy.”
The man answered, “I’m afraid that is what you’ll find the same there too.”
A short time later, the second twin approached the same city and asked the same local man, “What are the people like in the city?”
The man answered, “What are they like from the city you came from?”
He relied, “They are kind and generous.”
The man answered, “I’m happy to say that is what you’ll find the same there too.”
Personal Reflection
The Feast of the Holy Family is full of behavioral advice, yes? This is good and worthy to be followed! How we behave is how we perceive things. That can be liberating if not a bit eye opening! Who am I more like: the first twin or the second?
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122924.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry