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Week Five Reflection: Finding in the Temple and Word in Nazareth

Week Five A: Finding in the Temple Lk 2:41-51a

Verses to memorize

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (Luke 2:46)

Passage

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
Lk 2:41-51a

Questions

  1. This scripture tells the story of Finding Jesus in the Temple, the fifth Joyful Mystery
    of the Rosary. Mary and Joseph have lost their 12 year old son at
    the Passover festival. Q: Why did they start the trip back to Nazareth
    without him? A: They thought he was with their friends and relatives
    in the caravan. Q: What did they do after searching for one day?
    A: They returned to Jerusalem. Q: How long did they search for him
    in Jerusalem? A: Three days!
  2. Q: When they find him in the Temple courts teaching, who speaks?
    A: Mary. Q: What does she say? A: She scolds him and says, “Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”
    Q: What is great distress or anxiety? A: Nervous fear lasting a period of time.
    St. Joseph with all his obedience to God and faithful protection of
    Mary and Jesus, was anxious like any loving parent. We can pray
    to him when we are anxious.

Part B: Word in Nazareth about Joseph Lk 4:14-22

Verses to memorize

Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. (Luke 4:21)

Passage

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”
Lk 4:14-22

Questions

  1. In this scene, about 18 years later, Jesus has begun his public ministry. Q: How do the people in his home town react to his
    teaching? A: They were amazed and spoke well of him. Q: What question do they ask? A: “Is this not Joseph’s son?” Q: Why do they ask that? A: Many possible answers. But underlying this question is the fact that Joseph was known by the people. And Jesus was known by who his father was. The passage doesn’t tell us if Joseph is alive or dead by this time. Perhaps they were thinking, ” We know (or knew) Joseph and he was not surprising like his son Jesus is today.”
  2. Q: What does this tell us about Joseph in the eyes of his neighbors? A: Answers will vary. For sure, he did not stand out; his humility hid his faithfulness, patient endurance and manhood. His neighbors knew him to a point. Q: What didn’t they know? A: That they lived near a silent saint who seemed ordinary, but who was quietly and faithfully following each day God’s extraordinary plan for him. Q: What virtue does he represent? A: Trust in God.

Video

Courtesy of The Bible Project