December 29, 2024: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

“Now every year his (Jesus’) parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he (Jesus) was twelve years old, they went up as usual … When the festival was ended … the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem … they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. … his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? … Jesus said to them ‘Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ They did not understand what he said to them. … His mother treasured all these things in her heart. Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.”

Reflection

Today’s passage follows the presentation of Jesus in the temple. As such it is more of a legend, a story handed down orally to depict a hero. It gives clues to the child Jesus’ power through which he will eventually bring redemption of the people. This legend kind of story was usual within the period. This was Luke’s way of continuing the narrative of the life of Jesus and Who he is and was to be. This passage is also the first time Luke has Jesus speaking.

The emphasis of today’s story is that of the extraordinary wisdom of the child Jesus. To his stunned and perhaps stupefied parents and to the crowd who had been in his presence in the temple he demonstrated and was wisdom; his destiny was to be with God, the Father.   

As in the annunciation, Mary, puzzled by the angel’s declaration and now by Jesus’ words of wisdom, stored them in her heart to ponder.  It is as if Mary ponders her assumptions of and expectations for the child Jesus and what it means to serve the living God; continually living and saying” yes” to God.  Her son brings wisdom and is the One whose future will challenge assumptions on what it means to serve the living God.

Action

How do I ponder the words of Jesus in my own life? In what ways do I say “yes” to trusting in the meaning of the words of scripture for my life and life with and among others. Am I open to the wisdom of God and Jesus speaking within me and through others, all created in the Image of God?