Obedient disobedience

A Reflection on the Gospel for December 30th, 2018:
The Feast of the Holy Family

Luke 2.41-52

Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival.

When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travellers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, 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. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching 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.

Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in favour with God and human beings.

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Scripture depicts the slightest sliver of Jesus’ early life. The timeline zips from babe to the beginning of his public ministry at thirty-three — with only ‘the finding in the Temple’ in between.

For years I was confused about this passage, and was stuck wondering how Jesus could leave his parents without telling them. It seemed irresponsible and hurtful — leaving Joseph and Mary in great anxiety. I’m not a parent, but I can imagine the panic that would grip my heart if I thought I’d lost my child. I imagine that it would escalate if my child was the Son of God.
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In response to Mary’s understandable concerns, Jesus gave an answer that initially perplexed me. Even Mary, who is without sin, didn’t comprehend her sons words, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” No scolding follows — no apology, no real resolution. All that we read in scripture is that Jesus returned with them, was obedient to them, and continued to grow.

What is this about? Why was this event in Jerusalem chosen from the many childhood moments He lived in Nazareth? After doing some digging, I gained some valuable insight into what is going on beyond the surface here (thanks to ‘Word on Fire’). Let’s step back and list the key points:

• Christ travels to Jerusalem for the Passover
• He is missing, separated from his family for three days
• The situation appears to be cause for distress, but it is actually part of the Father’s plan and mission
• Mary is reunited with Jesus after the third day

Whoa. Now it is clear that this story prefigures a very specific later time — Jesus’ death and resurrection. Only Mary and Joseph witness this foreshadowing, and it's possible that God meant for it to be prophetic and personal — perhaps so Mary could have a foretaste of the reunion with her son that she could hope for and experience on earth after His resurrection.

Why is this Gospel important for us within the Octave of Christmas? It reminds us that, even as a child, Jesus was ‘set apart’ for a particular mission. We hear the words of Old Testament prophets during Advent, and New Testament events that fulfilled many of the prophecies as we reach Christmas Day; now Jesus gently points toward the great and necessary sacrifice of love He will accomplish in following the Father’s will. This passage tells me that He doesn’t want to leave us in the dark — He gives us hints and guesses at what is to come.

Let us Pray:
Jesus, when I am confused, please grant me the grace to ponder Your words and actions in my heart, and to treasure them as Mary did. Help me to remember Your deepest identity and Your all important mission, and in this joyful season of Christmas, teach me to imitate You in doing the Father’s will. Amen.

Kendra Chisholm

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