Wednesday, January 22, 2014

2nd Epiphany 2010, Turbulence of Change

2nd Epiphany
Luke 2, 41-52

Ferrari
Every year his [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they took him with them. Now after they had gone there and fulfilled the custom during the days of the feast, they set off on their way home. But the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this; they thought he was among the company of the travelers. After a day’s journey they missed him among their friends and relations. When they did not find 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 those who heard him were amazed at his mature understanding and his answers.

And when they saw him, they were taken aback, and his mother said to him, “My child, why have you done this to us? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

And he said to them, “Why did you look for me? Did you not know that I must be and live in that which is my Father’s?”

But they did not understand the meaning of the words he spoke to them. And he went down with them again to Nazareth and followed them willingly in all things.


And his mother carefully kept all these things living in her heart. And Jesus progressed in wisdom, in maturity and grace [favor] in the sight of God and man.

2nd Epiphany
January 17, 2010
Luke 2, 41 – 52

Over time a plant changes its form: from seed to shoot; shoots become the fullness of leaves; leaves transform into flowers and fruits.

We too undergo changes of form: from infant to toddler, from child to youth. The transformation in adolescence is a huge one. The change of form is accompanied by the awakening of new possibilities. As the body undergoes a major overhaul, our own personal destiny begins to awaken. There are flashes of what the adult will one day become. It brings with it new and surprising elements, unfamiliar and bewildering to parents.
12 year old Jesus, Dürer

The young Jesus gives us some indication of how the human spirit negotiates the turbulence of change, how to handle the cross-pull of inner and outer demands. In the Temple, He awakens to His destiny as a teacher. He recognizes that He belongs in this house of His heavenly Father. But His stroke of insight is not yet the full picture. For this is just the first of many transformations, which will ultimately make Him a healer, a prophet, the High Priest and Savior of humanity.

And so when challenged by His parents, He willingly assents to return with them. Although now very different, He weaves Himself into His present situation, into being the young son of His parents. Neither He, nor His mother, forgets what they have glimpsed.  He weaves together future growth into the present situation.

We too can see in this a productive way of integrating future and present. We catch moments of inspiration. It may not yet be the right moment, either for us, or for outer circumstances, for their fulfillment. But we can remember them, ponder them in our hearts. And then, perhaps after many changes and transformations, we will be positioned for fulfillment. And in so doing we too will blossom and bear fruit in wisdom, in maturity, and in grace. 


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