Jesus In The Jerusalem Temple

Today's Reflections

 

Jesus In The Jerusalem Temple

By LUKE 2:41-52

 

December 29, 2012

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. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

REFLECTIONS

Jesus... was obedient to them. Today’s feast describes the outstanding qualities of the Holy Family. Joseph provides protective and responsible leadership over His loved ones as they travel to Jerusalem. Mary personifies a mother’s loving care and concern. Jesus the dutiful Son of His heavenly Father is obedient to His human parents.

Like any family, they have their ups and downs. Joseph and Mary cope as best they could with the threat posed by Herod.

Here, Joseph and Mary journey to Jerusalem for the Passover, leaving their familiar and comfortable existence. They experience pain and anxiety when they fail to find the Child Jesus among their traveling companions. They are relieved when they find Him in the temple, sitting with the teachers of the law, listening to them, and asking them questions.

The love Joseph and Mary share binds them together. Even more important, they rely on God. United by their love for God and for each other, they are invincible.

Present-day couples know from the experience of Joseph and Mary that they could overcome all problems by standing by each other, working together, and putting their trust in God. Love for God and for each other fills their hearts with a desire to give their best for their loved ones.

What must you let go of that you may have room in your life and in your heart for God?