Luke 2:41-52

1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28

Psalm 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10

1 John 3:1-2, 21-24

Luke 2:41-52

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 his mother kept all these things in her heart.

And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor

before God and man.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family. Graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity. May we, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Samuel and Jesus: The mystery of the finding of Jesus in the Temple recalls the story of Samuel in many ways. The mother of Samuel, Hannah, and the mother of Jesus, Mary, both sang similar songs (1 Samuel 2:1-10; Luke 1:46-55) after miraculously conceiving their children. Both songs emphasize how God casts down the prideful and arrogant and lifts up the lowly and humble. Hannah’s song looks forward to the coming of the future king and Messiah; Mary’s song rejoices in the fact that God has given Israel its long-awaited King, whom she now carries in her womb. Hannah brought her child, Samuel, to the Shrine in Shiloh; Mary brought her child, Jesus, to the Temple in Jerusalem. Neither Hannah nor Mary were said to redeem or buy back their children, implying that both children were dedicated or consecrated for priestly and prophetic service.

2. A New Samuel: In the finding of the child Jesus in the Temple, the figure of Jesus is modeled on that of Samuel. Jewish tradition held that Samuel was twelve years old when he was called by God in the Temple (1 Samuel 3:1-10), and Jesus, we are told, was twelve years old when he accompanied Mary and Joseph on their yearly pilgrimage up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread. When Samuel was in the sanctuary, he heard the voice of God. When Jesus was in the sanctuary, he spoke as the Word of God, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. Samuel didn’t recognize the voice of the Lord at first; Jesus, however, was familiar with his Father and attentive to his Father’s will. At the end of the Gospel passage today, Luke uses a phrase to recall the story of Samuel: Just as Samuel increased in stature and favor (grace) with the Lord and with men, so also “Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and men” (Luke 2:52).

3. Foreshadowing of the Paschal Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple foreshadows the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Luke’s Gospel in many ways. In both events, Jesus makes a pilgrimage from Galilee to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. In both, Jesus draws attention to the Father’s will and “things.” In both events, Jesus enters the Temple and amazes the people with his wisdom. In both, he is lost and, on the third day, is found. The joy Mary and Joseph experienced on finding their Son on the third day is experienced by Jesus’ disciples on Easter Sunday. 

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I want to listen to you and hear your questions and answers in prayer. I find you today in the sanctuary of my heart.

Living the Word of God: Where am I called to find Jesus? Do I need to spend more time reading the Word of God? Do I need to spend more time with Jesus in the Eucharist? Do I need to be more intentional in serving Jesus in the poor?