Fifth Joyful Mysteries ~ Finding Jesus in the Temple
From Dom Gueranger, Liturgical Year for Feast of the Holy Family
Sequel of
the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Ch. 2.
When Jesus
was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the
feast; and having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the Child Jesus remained
in Jerusalem, and His parents knew it not. And thinking that He was in the
company, they came a day's journey, and sought Him among their kinsfolk and
acquaintance. And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him.
And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions.
And all that heard Him were astonished at His wisdom and His answers. And
seeing Him, they wondered. And His Mother said to Him: Son, why hast Thou done
so to us? Behold Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing. And He said to
them: How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My
Father's business? And they understood not the word that He spoke unto them.
And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And
His Mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and
age, and grace with God and men.
Thus, O
Jesus!-----didst Thou come down from Heaven to teach us. The tender age of
Childhood, which Thou didst take upon Thyself, is no hindrance to the ardour of
Thy desire that we should know the one only God, Who made all things, and Thee,
His Son, Whom He sent to us. When laid in the Crib, Thou didst instruct the
Shepherds by a mere look; when swathed in Thy humble swaddling-clothes, and
subjected to the voluntary silence thou hadst imposed on Thyself, Thou didst
reveal to the Magi the light they sought in following the star. When twelve
years old, Thou explainest to the Doctors of Israel the Scriptures which bear
testimony to Thee. Thou gradually dispellest the shadows of the Law by Thy
presence and Thy words. In order to fulfill the commands of Thy heavenly
Father, Thou dost not hesitate to occasion sorrow to the heart of Thy Mother,
by thus going in quest of souls that need enlightening. Thy love of man will
pierce that tender Heart of Mary with a still sharper sword, when she shall
behold Thee hanging on the Cross, and expiring in the midst of cruelest pain.
Blessed be Thou, sweet Jesus, in these first Mysteries of Thine Infancy,
wherein Thou already showest Thyself devoted to us, and leavest the company of
Thy Blessed Mother for that of sinful men, who will one day conspire thy Death.
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