A story is told about Jesus being lost when he is 12 years old. Mary and Joseph are returning home from a festival in Jerusalem. Having journeyed for a day already, Mary and Joseph cannot find Jesus nestled in the safety of extended family members. They return to the city and after three days of looking his understandably anxious parents discover Jesus asking and answering questions with the Temple elders. Jesus does not seem to be lost and, unlike his parents, does not seem to be feeling anxious. In the same way Jesus’ perspective can be contrasted with those of his parents, so too it can be contrasted with the perspective of the other Bible readings used this Sunday.
This Sunday’s other Bible readings emphasize honor. The first reading from Sirach emphasizes the honor due parents, especially the father, and the honor ultimately due God, who is a projection of the father. An alternate first reading from Samuel emphasizes the obligations of parents to honor the father deity. They do this by rendering sacrificial payment for blessings and curses. The Psalm emphasizes fear of the father deity as a sign of honor. The second reading from Colossians emphasizes the honor a submissive wife pays to her husband who is as a deity to her. Amidst all this honor and its duties is Jesus, a rather ‘dishonoring’ person. In place of honor expected, especially to father figures, he is unconventionally questioning. In place of obligations due father figures he is mutually engaging. It seems quite likely it is his parents who nurtured Jesus in these qualities. They may or may not have realized their impact. In the moment Mary discovers Jesus questioning the elders she seems to take hold of that impact. She thus realizes the mystery of parenting: “his mother kept all these things in her heart.” Emerging before her eyes is an entirely unique individual. She has empowered this child but she cannot control him. Her power has been to love him, nurture him, empathize with him, express compassion for him, tend to his hurts, heal his wounds, and share him with the world so that he can bring those same qualities to others. Will others receive him? It is every parent’s concern. Will others continue to empower my child, love him, nurture him? Can every mother trust that very other mother’s child is also being sent into the world to be so very courageous, so very kind? Perhaps the Christmas season through this particular feast can nurture a commitment in parents across the world to form one great and safe extended family for every Christ child born into it.
All of us nurture the children of family members, of friends, young ones we meet because of our jobs, and simply those we encounter in the course of an average day. We love each young one and let them feel they belong. We thus impact their lives for others. Let us especially let this sense of belonging be felt by young ones who unlike Jesus are indeed lost, who unlike Jesus are indeed anxious. They are in need of a great extended family.
Prayer: Spirit of Love, open our hearts to all people as a great extended family.
Question: To whom do I go when I feel lost, anxious?
December 27, 2015 Gospel Luke 2:41-52 The Holy Family Of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph