Reflections on Scripture | Immaculate Heart of Mary

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Luke 2:41-51

Each year Jesus’ 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. 

Reflection

In this passage we see Mary, like any mother being anxious and worried about where her son is, and they frantically look for him and they look everywhere. But they didn't look in the place where He was, which was a way of saying she didn't yet understand that Jesus came into the world to teach the teachers. We lose sight of God often.

We don't know where He is. We don't know what He’s doing. But we have to trust that whatever He’s doing is in the name of the father. He’s doing the work of God. Because you don't see it doesn't mean it's not happening. 

Closing Prayer

Father, awaken in us the realization that we will never fully understand your work and how you work and where you work. Give us trust that the thing that we long for is being accomplished. You are in charge. You are the teacher. You are the revealer of all that we need to know. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Kyle Cross