Word to the Wise
Saturday, June 8, 2024 -
[2 Timothy 4:1-8 and Luke 2:41-51]"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.
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY [Saturday after feast of Sacred Heart]
[2 Timothy 4:1-8 and Luke 2:41-51]
Mothers can have long memories when it comes to recalling things their children have done. The tradition behind the story in today's gospel scripture may well have come directly from Mary's own recollection which was passed around. However, the evangelist Luke has used it to make some powerful statements about Jesus and his parents.
Mary and Joseph are portrayed as faithful Jews observing the Passover festival. But Jesus' arrival in the temple (along with the earlier "presentation") is seen as a fulfillment of a prophecy. There is the contrast between Jesus' duty to his parents and his greater duty to his "Father." His earthly parents are a reflection of the many who would have difficulty understanding Jesus. Scripture scholars have had a "field day" trying to sort out all the themes of the episode, and there is a temptation to give all kinds of psychological spins as well.
Since this gospel story is used on a feast day devoted to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and there were many traditions that circulated about Jesus' childhood in early Christianity, I simply offer Mary as a keeper of memories in her heart. One may pray that we are included as well. AMEN