The Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

THE FIFTH JOYFUL THE FINDING OF

JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

JOYFUL MYSTERY: THE FINDING OF

JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

Coming away from “The Presentation” and seeing both Joy & Sorrow, we notice a little resemblance of the Sorrowful Mysteries, which will play a remarkable part in the lives of Mary, Joseph and Jesus, in our own lives, as well as our brothers and sisters and neighbors’ lives.

A little while after The Magi had paid homage to their King and left their gifts, they were warned to take another route back to their homes. When King Herod found out The Magi went home another way, he was furious. So in his fury he sent soldiers out to Bethlehem to slay all boys 2 years old and under. That was a horrendous thing to do and from the leader of all his people. As the soldiers were mounting their horses, knowing what they were doing for the King, they set out.

St. Joseph had a dream that he, Mary and baby Jesus should leave for Egypt. So in the middle of the night they departed for Egypt. Saint Matthew conveys the extreme sorrow with a lament from the Old Testament: “Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; She refused to be consoled, because they were no more.’” (Matthew 2:17-18). The Church has always remembered these youngest victims of Herod as martyrs. Like all such martyrs, the Holy Innocents died for their faith. By their death they bore testimony to Jesus as the Messiah. (The feast day of The Holy Innocents is on December 28, unless that day falls on a Sunday.)

During the same time Herod’s edict was taking place, the Holy Family was displaced from their homeland and stayed in Egypt for an unknown time. I think about “immigrants” and compare them to the Holy Family: Knowing what was happening in Bethlehem, the slaughter of the innocents, and their leaving for Egypt, not knowing how to speak the language or live in the Inns. What sorrow! After another few years Herod died and they received the news that it was safe to return to Nazareth. Jesus was then about 4 - 5 years old. The private life of Jesus continued until he was 12 years of age. In a period of five years they experienced such joy-filled and sorrow-filled days, weeks, and years.

It is a good practice to pray for an increase of prudence, trust, and deeper faith in the Lord from the Finding of Jesus Christ in the Temple. When Jesus was 12 years old, He went with His parents to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. Joseph, like Mary, had complied with angels’ commands and an emperor’s decree. Now in obedience to the law, Joseph journeyed to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover with Mary and the boy Jesus.

At the conclusion of the Passover festival, the Holy Family began their return to Nazareth by caravan. Unknown to His parents, Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. At the end of the first day of the return journey Mary and Joseph found each other, but where was Je-

sus? After talking with friends and acquaintances, they headed back to the Jerusalem to find their lost child. Sorrowfully, they left the caravan. Dumb with grief, and a hundred inquiries, and a hundred crushing disappointments; false leads and heavier hearts; kind suggestions and cruel failures. Until finally they took their sorrow into the Temple where they found Him after three days had passed. Jesus was in the Temple among the Doctors who were astonished at His wisdom. The relief of finding Him in the Temple was indeed joyful. But Mary said, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow.” Jesus replied, “Why did you search for me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” Mary was surprised by the mystery of His words and treasured them in her heart.

Jesus and his parents returned to Nazareth and there He lived in total obscurity. Jesus grew in grace, age and wisdom before God and man until He turned thirty years old. Afterward, He gave himself totally to His Divine Public Ministry.

“I know where I came from and where I am going.” (St. John 8:14)

Faith is a gift of God, but a gift wrapped in reason. Prudence is a virtue of the Holy Spirit. Trust is total submission to God’s will. References:

“Bible Rosary: The Life of Jesus, Thirty-Five Mysteries” by Eleanor Therese Burnside, pp. 152-162.

Holy Bible New American, pp. 1146-1148. “Joy to the World” by Scott Hahn, pp. 138139.

“Father Peyton Rosary Prayer” by Father Patrick Peyton, pp. 38, 57, 76, 133, 152, 190. Rosary Meditation, p. 17.

The Rosary, p. 29.

“The Rosary: The Little Summa” by Robert Feeney pp. 245-247.