Lost and Found
Imagine going home from an event and leaving your child behind.
Every year Jesus' parents 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 travelers, 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 divine and human favor. - Luke 2:41-52
On this day, we celebrate Saint Joseph, the adopted father of Jesus. And the story we have to remember Joseph's role is this one, where he leaves Jesus behind in Jerusalem?
The way Luke paints this picture is interesting. We start out thinking Jesus is lost, but then we discover it is his parents who are in the dark.
They didn't think Jesus would know who he was, but Jesus turned twelve, and in his day, he was now a man.
So, this is a coming of age story, where Jesus realizes what his true identity is, and mom and pop are now supposed to take a back seat.
Since they did not understand, Jesus chose to continue to obey them, until he was ready to be known.
This story is really not about Joseph, is it?
It is about Jesus understanding who he is, and Joseph having to accept that his work is just about done.
Maybe Joseph and Mary should have checked to see that Jesus was in the crowd as they left Jerusalem. And maybe Jesus should have been a bit more understanding of their concerns.
But in the end, the moment symbolizes the combination of pain and joy all parents feel when their child steps out on its own and declares their true identity.
Wow.
More to come...