(cf. Lk 2:41-51)
Each year his 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.
Let's look at the Finding of the child Jesus in the Temple. In taking this mystery and knowing that our life is somehow in this mystery. Where do we begin?
I took some time to meditate solely on this mystery, I knew there had to be more. Where was Jesus? His earthly parents couldn't find him. Have you ever lost a child, even just for a split second? Well, how about for 3 days? I wondered, I hadn't lost a child, how am I to live out this mystery in my life? Pondering for weeks and finally asking God to help me, it came to me.
I am the Temple and I need to find Jesus within me! I got it, it finally made sense. I was the one who was lost. So, what if you are lost, where do you find Jesus? Here's another revelation, what if the temple is real on earth? Oh, yeah! It is, it's called Church. You need only get directions to your local Catholic Church and there you will find Jesus in the Temple. The finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple, what a great mystery to dive into!