March 19, 2020 – Gospel reflection – Feast of St. Joseph
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 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.
Dear Friends,
There are
two possible Gospel readings for today.
I like this one because it gives us a little insight in to the humanity
of Mary and Joseph. They journey home
after the Passover and Jesus is at that age of transition. In a caravan the women and the children
travel in the middle for protection, while the men are in two groups, in the
front and the back. Mary could
realistically believe that her son has taken his place with the men and is
traveling with Joseph. Joseph could
realistically believe that Jesus is traveling one last time with the women and
the other children. Neither is a fault
but they are worried. We have one day
journey out, one day journey back, and then 3 days looking for their son, Jesus
is “lost” for 5 days. Any mother or
father would be worried and anxious.
They search everywhere. The
temple is God’s house, can you imagine climbing the steps to the temple to let
God know that you have lost his son.
Then, the joy when you see him safe and sound in his holy place. We often delay taking our fears and anxieties
to God, we try to struggle through on our own and postpone the relief God
provides.
Just like Mary and Joseph, let
us hasten to our Lord and surrender our fears and anxieties to the only one
that will bring us peace and consolation.
Today we have an opportunity to pray the rosary with Pope Francis at
3:00pm. He will pray with us at 9:00
Rome time and collectively we can share the Luminous mysteries calling to our
heavenly Father to bring an end to this threat.
Living in interesting times give us an opportunity to live extraordinary
lives. Continue to pray, fast and give
alms and may the Fathers love and mercy bring you comfort and peace.
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