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.
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Reflection:
Mario was a good son
and the sole provider to his siblings and parents. One day he said to his
parents that he will get married, both parents were speechless and in
shock. Being both retired they were full of trepidation they were silently
asking themselves: Who will provide for us now?
Just like in that
short story, sometimes we make arbitrary actions that hurt and give
apprehension to our relatives. They may not directly say their apprehensions
because they deeply respect our independence but deep in their hearts they are
anxious.
This must be the
feeling of both Joseph and Mary when Jesus purposely remained behind in
Jerusalem. So they went back to Jerusalem full of anxiety and many thoughts
were already running in their minds. After three days they found Jesus safe and
sound in the temple intently listening to the lectures and asking questions.
At a young age of twelve Jesus already had that need
to hear the words of God in the temple. It was a non issue for him if he was left
behind by His parents and other companions so long as he could be in the house
of God.
Don’t we feel also in our lives this urgency to hear
God’s words in the celebration of the Holy Mass? The boy Jesus points us to the
fact that we too must have this great need to hear the words of God and share
it afterwards.
We must find time to listen to the words of God,
being busy with our earthly concerns is not an excuse we must find time for
God. If we can’t go to church for Holy Mass we can open the bible and read it
solemnly for God speaks through us by His words in the bible.
Do you find time for God amidst your busy schedule? –
Marino J. Dasmarinas
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