Feast of the Holy Family Gospel C

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. 

· In Luke’s Gospel this is Jesus’ second journey to the Temple, the first being when he was presented after birth.

· When a Jewish boy became twelve years old he became a son of the law, taking on its obligations. As part of this celebration Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Jerusalem to bring the young Jesus to the Temple.

· Do we remember our Confirmation? This was the moment we affirmed our relationship with God and committed ourselves to be witnesses to others. How consciously are we doing that?

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. 

· Mary thought Jesus was with Joseph and vice versa or possibly with the other cousins or friends who traveled with them from Nazareth.

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. 

· It was not unusual for the learned teachers to meet in the Temple court to discuss important religious topics. Nor would it be unusual for a young male adult twelve years old to listen and to ask questions of these teachers.  Are we as inquisitive about our faith, studying and learning?

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?’ 

· Jesus identifies God as his Father without rejecting or denying his relationship with Joseph as his foster father. He is aware of the hierarchy of relationships.

· What is our relationship with the Father? How has it changed over the years?

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. 

· Even when he recognized his ultimate relationship with God as his Father, Jesus still showed respect and obedience to the two human beings who care for him on earth.

· When we don’t understand something, do we like Mary reflect on them in our heart?

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

· What application do we make in our life from this passage?