Reflections on Jesus in the Temple
Let us begin in prayer. We gather in this beautiful season of Christmas to express our gratitude for the remarkable gift of Jesus Christ, our Lord. As we come together to hear the Word, we pray to be enveloped in God’s love, enabling us to love all those whom God loves. With these words, I speak in the name of God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.
Please be seated, and good morning to each of you. It fills my heart with joy to see so many gathered here on this first Sunday after Christmas. I am eager to share a passage with you from Luke’s Gospel, chapter 2, verse 46. It tells the story of Jesus in the temple, where He was found seated among the teachers, listening and posing questions. The beauty of this moment is as warming as a cozy fireplace on a chilly day.
A Journey to the Heart
In my own life, I’ve moved away from the perpetual warmth of the Caribbean to colder climates, and this shift has taught me new forms of warmth. Just like the allure of a fireplace on a frigid day, the scriptures draw us in, inviting us to linger and find warmth. Today’s gospel story of Mary and Joseph’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem with the young Jesus echoes this sentiment.
Mary and Joseph experienced unexpected anxiety when they realized Jesus was missing after leaving Jerusalem. As parents, one can only imagine their hearts pounding with fear when they couldn’t find Him among their friends and relatives. After three agonizing days, they finally discovered Him in the temple, engaging with the teachers, who marveled at His understanding.
The Unexpected Lessons of Love
The dialogue that follows between Mary and Jesus is telling. Mary, with concern, asked Jesus why He stayed behind, and He responded with a question that sought deeper understanding. This gentleness despite their anxiety, with no anger or reproach, is an exercise of love that we are gently coaxed to emulate, as highlighted in the letter to the Colossians and Corinthians.
Paul’s writings to the Colossians, saying to clothe oneself in love for perfect harmony, echo the sentiments seen in Mary and Joseph’s response to Jesus. This love, described beautifully in 1 Corinthians 13, is patient, kind, and forgiving—qualities we observe in Jesus’ parents. Mary, notably, treasured this incident in her heart, and there was an evident reconciliation of the entire matter.
Invitations of the Season
The Christmas season beckons us to come close to the warmth of Jesus’ life, that we too may be wrapped in His love and demonstrate it in our interactions with others. This narrative invites us to reflect: with whom can we be more compassionate, kind, or patient? Who in our lives requires our forgiveness or understanding?
Our journey toward holiness, growing in grace and favor, is encapsulated in these thoughtful reflections. We are invited to approach life’s challenges with a heart clothed in love, much like Mary, Joseph, and Jesus exemplified.
Closing Prayer
Let us pray. O God, who has known us since our own mothers’ wombs, remind us to follow You diligently and faithfully. In our life’s journey, when we wander, clothe us in your love, allowing us to grow in grace, favor, and generosity. Through Jesus Christ, our incarnate Lord, Amen.