Gospel – Luke 2:41-52
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.
Reflection on the Gospel
Let us remember we are in the holy presence of God.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are not the Holy Family because they never had any trials or tribulations.
They are the Holy Family because they understood that God was watching over them.
They knew that no matter what happened to them, they would ultimately be safe.
Mary and Joseph had some of the same experiences all parents have.
They had great anxiety.
Let us pray that today’s families will rely on the mercy of God to see them through their troubles.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.