My Father's House

Prayer Practice

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.

DAILY READING

Luke 2:41-52

REFLECTION

Where to Find Jesus

 by Elaine Pierce

Why do you think Luke included this story in his gospel? This story is the only one in the Bible about Jesus between his infancy and adulthood. We've spent the weeks of advent preparing for our savior's birth. Today, we get a glimpse into his childhood.

I identify with Mary when I read this passage. How upset I would be that my son had not told me where he was, and how, deep down, I would be blaming myself - why didn't I keep a better eye on him. Jesus' answer when confronted by his parents has always puzzled me: "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" Why wouldn't his parents be looking for him??

Yes, the teachers in the temple courts were amazed by his answers. But, Jesus, your parents had spent three days looking for you! Three days! They had to be beside themselves with worry. And there you were, in your father's house.

This passage has always troubled me, but as I write this on the last day of 2020, this strangest of years, I take heart in Mary's response: "His mother treasured all these things in her heart." 2020 has been hard. Really hard. As 2021 dawns, we are still struggling with the Pandemic. With racism. With a divided nation as we inaugurate a new president. Jesus knows all of this, and he knows what you are struggling with. He is in his father's house. He is not hiding.  

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

For Reflection and thought - Were Mary and Joseph looking in the wrong places for their son? Why didn't they go to the temple first? Is there a lesson there for us? Where do we look for Jesus?  

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