Holy Family Sunday December
30, 2012
[__01] This Sunday is the feast of the Holy Family,
the Sunday celebrated in the octave or 8 days after Christmas.
In
the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we see the model of sacrifice for
our own homes and families.
And,
even, in a model in their search, their search for the 12-year old Jesus who
has gone missing.
[__02] First, he is discovered missing in the
caravan on the journey home from Jerusalem to Nazareth. Secondly, Jesus remains separated from his
parents. In total, they search for 3 days.
Where
would a 12-year-old boy most likely have gone on his own? Possibly, not to the
Temple, but that is where they find him.
Mary and Joseph find
him there. And, Jesus himself wonders why have been checking in so many other locations first.
Jesus himself asks, “Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49)
[__03] We might also note that the search and
rescue effort, in a sense, does not succeed
100%.
Jesus’ answer about
where he has been and why he as gone there is not satisfactory.
Joseph and Mary don’t
completely understand what Jesus is telling them when, Jesus states his motive.
The motive – or motivation
is stated this way:
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49)
The motive is also
stated in other biblical reflections similarly:
“How is it that you sought
me? did you not know, that I must be about my father's business?”
(Luke 2:49 – Douay-Rheims)
[__04] We see that the unity of this ideal,
holy family is temporarily disrupted because Jesus has gone out on his own.
This disappearance –
and discovery -- at the Temple is a prophecy of the future life of our Lord and
Savior. About twenty years or so after this
incident, Jesus is again questioned at the Temple.
As an adult, Jesus is the
model student being questioned. And, he has answers for the Temple scholars.
And at the end of the
day – Good Friday – Jesus is going home. But, he is not going home with Mary
and Joseph.
As we read in the
Gospel of John, reading about Jesus’ description of his Passion and Death and
Resurrection:
“In my Father’s house, there
are many dwelling places, otherwise, how could I have told you that I was going
to prepare a place for you? I am indeed going to prepare a place for you, and
then I shall come back to take you with me, that where I am you also may be.” (John 14:2-3)
[__05] Jesus goes into the Temple so that he might
bring us into the Father’s house also.
This is Jesus’
motivation which is better understood later. This is the motive for his
disappearance from the caravan.
It would have been easier,
perhaps, if Jesus had not confessed a motive – right up front.
The motive is hard to
understand.
[__06] Perhaps, he should have just given an alibi,
such as any of us would give:
- I
became lost, separated from the group
- I
was led astray by the juniors and seniors – the older youths.
- I
lost track of time – what’s 3 days for a 12 year old?
Mary and Joseph would
take him, probably forget the whole thing.
The alibi enables us
to forget, ignore, deny.
The alibi – in a legal
case – enables the police [or parents] to rule out suspects or possibilities.
But, a motive [motivation]
is different.
A motive is more
challenging.
A motive is different
for the child who says what he or she wants to do, one day – “when I grow up.”
It is the calling of
mothers and fathers to help children discover their dreams and hope for the
future.
[__07] Now,
currently, at the Temple – 12 years old – Jesus is the model young honor-student.
He is saying “please”
and “thank you” with the Temple scholars. He is raising his hand. He has the
correct answers. He is listening to what others say. He waits for others to
finish their sentences.
And, they are
astonished at his answers.
What we read in today’s
Gospel, Luke chapter 2:
“All who heard him
were astounded at his understanding and his answers.” (Luke 2:__)
Jesus would be willing
to help others students, falling behind in class.
[__08] But, now, with the reunion of Jesus,
Mary, and Joseph, it is time to go home.
It is not for him to
remain in the Temple.
And, we read that Jesus
goes home and is obedient to his mother and father, to Mary and Joseph.
Doing so, Mary and
Joseph are neither controlling him nor acquitting him of responsibility.
They are simply saying
that the gifts you have now are meant to be shared and used in the home, in our
home, our family.
- Saying
please and thank you
- Loving
each other
- Sacrificing
for each other.
We don’t simply
show/use our intelligence outside the home – in school. Rather, we are called to love with all of our
heart, mind and strength –for good - at
home as well.
[__09] And, this the sacrifice and love is
manifest in the gift of Jesus’ life to his disciples, to you and me.
Jesus also loves them –
and us -- with all of his mind and heart and strength, teaching them as well.
At the Temple – in the
father’s business – Jesus becomes the new Passover lamb, the Holy Eucharist. In the crucifixion, in his death and resurrection.
This is motive; this
is his body; this is his blood.
And, in this, the search
is complete. [__fin___]
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