{"id":5409,"date":"2024-12-28T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-28T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/?p=5409"},"modified":"2025-01-27T15:11:10","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T15:11:10","slug":"commentary-on-holy-family-sunday-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/commentary-on-holy-family-sunday-c\/","title":{"rendered":"Commentary on Holy Family Sunday (C) 29.12.2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

TEXT \u2013<\/em><\/strong> Luke 2: 41\u201352 \u2013 Finding Jesus in the Temple<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Passover Feast<\/strong><\/p>\n

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom;<\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus Separated from Parents<\/strong><\/p>\n

43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day\u2019s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus Found<\/strong><\/p>\n

46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; 47 and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.<\/em><\/p>\n

Mary\u2019s Question<\/strong><\/p>\n

48 And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, \u201cSon, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus\u2019 Reason<\/strong><\/p>\n

49 And he said to them, \u201cHow is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father\u2019s house?\u201d 50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus back in Nazareth<\/strong><\/p>\n

51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man. <\/em><\/p>\n

EXPLANATION<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cNow his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The Jewish Law prescribed that each year for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles all Jewish males would go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem and worship in the Temple (Ex. 23: 14\u201317; 34: 23; Dt. 16: 16; Lv. 23: 4\u201314). Those who lived at a great distance were exempt, except for the feast of Passover. Some Rabbis did not believe that the Law applied to women and children. That Mary and the child Jesus accompanied Joseph shows that the family was very devout (Lk. 2: 22\u201323, 27, 39, 41\u201342).<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom<\/em>\u201d \u2014 They went for the feast of Passover when Jesus was twelve years of age. At this age Jewish boys were regarded as sufficiently mature to make vows and undertake religious responsibilities. Bar mitzvah, a son of the Law, celebrates, even today, the official arrival at maturity of a Jewish boy.<\/p>\n

43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day\u2019s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cand when the feast was ended<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Passover feast lasted eight days.<\/p>\n

\u201cas they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus was referred to as a \u201cbaby<\/em>\u201d in verse 16, as a \u201cchild<\/em>\u201d in verse 40, and now in this verse 43 as a \u201cboy<\/em>\u201d to show his progress since birth in this chapter. He is no longer a child but a \u201cboy<\/em>\u201d, that is one who has begun the process of maturing to manhood. That development will be complete at the end of the chapter.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company<\/em>\u201d \u2014 It is clear as the reading progresses that staying behind was Jesus\u2019 sole choice.<\/p>\n

The \u201ccompany<\/em>\u201d would be those from the village of Nazareth who went to the feast. That is why it was so easy to miss him, presuming that he was either with father or mother, as women and men walked separately, or he was with other children of the same age.<\/p>\n

they went a day\u2019s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.<\/em> \u2014 We can well imagine the consternation on discovering that a twelve year old boy was missing and no one could help with information. He was lost!<\/p>\n

46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; 47 and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter three days<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This period is frequent in Luke\u2019s Gospel, referring mostly to the three days in the tomb (Lk. 9: 22; 13: 32; 18: 33; 24: 7, 221, 46). There will be other references to the resurrection in this passage, as follows.<\/p>\n

\u201cthey found him in the temple<\/em>\u201d \u2014 There is a deeper meaning in this passage, highlighted by these words. In the parable of the Merciful Father (Lk. 15: 11\u201332) the prodigal is described as lost and found, as it were dead and come back to life (Lk. 15: 24). Applied to this passage, we see Jesus lost, that is dead, and found, that is risen, the cause of great sorrow and then joy at his discovery in the temple of his flesh after \u201cthree days<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201csitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus is depicted as a rabbi sitting among his followers. That is symbolical of his role in later life. The reality is that for his age he is one who had deep insight and understanding of the Law which \u201camazed<\/em>\u201d those present.<\/p>\n

\u201cand all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The particular Greek word for \u201camazed<\/em>\u201d expresses a very strong emotion and reaction. Jesus is exceptional in his knowledge.<\/p>\n

48 And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, \u201cSon, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when they saw him they were astonished<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The meaning is that Mary and Joseph were very surprised, utterly shocked and could not understand why Jesus had remained in Jerusalem. It is only after the resurrection that understanding about Jesus becomes possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cand his mother said to him, \u201cSon, why have you treated us so? \u2018<\/em>\u201c \u2014 Mary calls him \u201cSon<\/em>\u201d. She is a mother speaking to her child. What she says is what any mother would say, \u201cwhy have you treated us so?<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cBehold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.\u2019<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Joseph is called \u201cyour father<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

We have been looking for you anxiously<\/em>\u201d tells us that Simeon\u2019s prophecy is being fulfilled for the first time (Lk. 2: 34\u201335). The sword of sorrow has pierced her heart.<\/p>\n

49 And he said to them, \u201cHow is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father\u2019s house?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he said to them, \u2018How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father\u2019s house? <\/em>[Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father\u2019s affairs?]\u2019<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The Greek text allows for two translations which follow two schools of scholarship, the one given here, which is the translation in the Revised Standard Version, and that of the Jerusalem Bible which is enclosed in square brackets, \u201cDid you not know that I must be busy with my Father\u2019s affairs?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

These are Jesus\u2019 first words in Luke\u2019s Gospel. He declares his true identity; he is God\u2019s Son, doing God\u2019s will.<\/p>\n

Jesus was found in the Temple sharing the word of God as his Father\u2019s will. He will enunciate this obligation more clearly later, \u201cI must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.<\/em>\u201d (Lk. 4: 43).<\/p>\n

He refers to God as \u201cmy Father<\/em>\u201d, his essential relationship. It is in the Temple, God\u2019s house where God is present, that he makes this self\u2013revelation of who he is. God is his witness.<\/p>\n

In verse 48, speaking to Jesus, Joseph is called by Mary \u201cyour father<\/em>\u201d. Jesus makes the point that God is his true father. He is now officially mature, being twelve years of age, and he has to obey God his true father first.<\/p>\n

\u201cmust<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This word occurs 18 times in Luke\u2019s Gospel. It shows that Jesus sees himself as bound to obey his Father and do his will. Practically that will mean at this stage, as we shall read, that he return to Nazareth and obey his parents.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe finding of Jesus in the temple <\/em>is the only event that breaks the silence of the Gospels about the hidden years of Jesus. Here Jesus lets us catch a glimpse of the mystery of his total consecration to a mission that flows from his divine sonship: \u2018Did you not know that I must be about my Father\u2019s work?<\/em>\u2019\u201d (The <\/em>Catechism of the Catholic Church,<\/em> 534).<\/p>\n

50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Mary and Joseph did not understand that God his Father would make unusual demands on him to be obeyed such as staying behind in Jerusalem as they returned home. However, they accepted them in faith.<\/p>\n

Lack of proper understanding is a strong point in Luke\u2019s Gospel (Lk. 8: 10; 9: 45; 18: 34). With faith there is always a certain obscurity, some mystery. Vision is reserved for the next life.<\/p>\n

And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them<\/em>\u201d \u2014 As mentioned in the commentary on verse 49 this was in keeping with his Father\u2019s will.<\/p>\n

This is the last reference to St. Joseph. Jesus is now mature and of legal age. God is his Father and has begun to call upon him. St Joseph\u2019s role is now complete.<\/p>\n

\u201cand his mother kept all these things in her heart<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The word that is translated \u201cthings<\/em>\u201d can also be translated \u201cwords\u201d.<\/p>\n

Mary is shown as the model disciple and believer by reflecting in her heart on the word or action of God in her life or that of others about her.<\/p>\n

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus matured spiritually and socially.<\/p>\n

The first quality of Jesus mentioned is \u201cwisdom<\/em>\u201d. \u201cWisdom<\/em>\u201d was also mentioned in verse 40. This repeated word is what is known as an \u201cinclusio\u201d. This is a literary form which indicates that everything contained between the two references is meant to describe Jesus\u2019 \u201cwisdom<\/em>\u201d: he knows that God is his Father and that they have an exceptional and unique relationship. He also knows and obeys God\u2019s will.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis human soul that the Son of God assumed at conception is endowed with a true human knowledge. As such, this knowledge could not in itself be unlimited: it was exercised in the historical conditions of his existence in space and time. This is why the Son of God could, when he became man, \u2018increase in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man\u2019<\/em>, and would even have to inquire for himself about what one in the human condition can learn only from experience. This corresponded to the reality of his voluntary emptying of himself, taking \u2018the form of a slave\u2019\u201d<\/em> (The <\/em>Catechism of the Catholic Church,<\/em> 472).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

APPLICATION<\/strong><\/h3>\n

1. The story recorded in this passage is probably among the most misinterpreted in the Gospels. At first glance it might seem to be an account of a young and thoughtless boy being very irresponsible towards his parents, being twelve years of age and presuming that he is now a man, and so decides to remain in Jerusalem when he should have been with them on their way home. When they find him, some would interpret his answer to his mother\u2019s question as rude.<\/p>\n

Others see in this a passage about family, the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, who, apart from Jesus, are not mentioned by name. \u201cParents\u201d are mentioned twice, \u201cmother\u201d twice and \u201cfather\u201d once. Looking at the passage from this point of view, the stress is on the obedience of children to their parents. Readers are encouraged to build up the family of God and thus become holy.<\/p>\n

2. There is a deeper meaning that offers a rich mine to be explored. In this interpretation the starting point is that the Gospels tell us about Jesus, who he is, his true identity, his personality, his words and his deeds, the reason for his appearance on earth. The fact that Mary and Joseph \u201cdid not understand the saying which he spoke to them<\/em>\u201d makes us cautious that we too might not comprehend the true meaning. We are reminded that \u201chis mother kept all these things in her heart<\/em>\u201d. She, the true and perfect disciple, meditated and reflected on the words and deeds of her son until she understood, as we should too.<\/p>\n

The passage offers clues to help us grasp the meaning. The first words that Jesus spoke in Luke\u2019s Gospel are recorded in this passage, \u201cAnd he said to them, \u2018How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father\u2019s house?\u2019<\/em>\u201d Here Jesus gives a revelation of who he is, God the Father\u2019s Son. His Father and Jesus have an extra special relationship.<\/p>\n

The Archangel Gabriel had already announced that Jesus would be God\u2019s Son (Lk. 1: 35). In the present passage Jesus makes clear that he knows he is the Father\u2019s Son (Lk. 2: 49). As he commences his public ministry with his baptism by John, God the Father will declare from heaven, \u201cYou are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased<\/em>\u201d (Lk. 22-23).<\/p>\n

Obedience to the Father comes before any other relationships and obligations. It is because of his obedience to his Father\u2019s will that he will obey his earthly parents by going home with them and staying there until his Father calls him to his public ministry. Do we have to question, \u2018Do we always have to obey God?\u2019 the answer is obvious. St. Paul refers to this as \u201cthe obedience of faith<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

3. Eight points in this passage are, to me, obviously referring to Jesus\u2019 passion and resurrection (Lk. 9: 51 \u2013 24: 52). There is a clear connection.<\/p>\n

i) Both sections refer to a journey to Jerusalem.<\/p>\n

ii) The Temple is mentioned as important to both.<\/p>\n

iii) Jesus is accompanied by his parents in the first and by his disciples in the second. He had already declared that anyone who does his Father\u2019s will is his mother and brother and sister, which can apply to his disciples.<\/p>\n

iv) Both episodes took place at the feast of Passover.<\/p>\n

v) In the first Jesus was lost. In the second he was led to death and crucified. In Luke 15 death and being lost are identified.<\/p>\n

vi) In both he is found after three days<\/p>\n

vii) Mary, in the first passage, could not understand why Jesus remained in Jerusalem. In the second passage, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus could not understand why Jesus died.<\/p>\n

viii) In both passages Jesus asks why his parents and the two disciples did not know his reason for acting as he did.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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