2nd Epiphany
Luke 2, 41-52
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| Dürer |
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.
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| Borgognone |
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 19, 2014
Luke 2: 41 – 52
Outer appearances can be misleading. The humble plant can be
a powerful source of healing. The small dog can manifest a great heart. The
naïve, simple child can harbor a great individuality.
The sweet boy Jesus underwent a radical change in His three
days in the temple. He emerged as someone rapidly growing in wisdom, in
maturity, in loveliness. Although this change was exceptional, he was neither
awkward nor at odds with anyone. This
change was perceptible as a wholeness, an integrity, a loveliness, both in the
sight of God and of his fellow human beings.
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| Dürer, detail |
At various times in our lives we undergo changes, some of
them radical. As we do so, we can strive to maintain our harmony with our
fellow human beings, with ourselves, and with our God. For we, like the twelve year old Jesus, all
harbor the potential to be a powerful source of healing, a great heart, a weighty
individuality. All of us can strive to ‘live and be in that which is our
Father’s.’[1]
For this twelve year old child grew to give us the Lord’s Prayer. And, as we petition in that prayer, we all
can aim to live in the graciousness of His name; to develop and mature His
kingdom here on earth; to act in accord with His wise will.
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