In the Temple

Today’s Gospel Text:  Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; 43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; 47 and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." 49 And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:41-52

Reflection: Reading this passage, I felt inspired to write this song. May it help you reflect and bring healing and blessing in your life: 

Find Jesus

When all seems lost
And you are seeking in the wilderness of your heart
For that peace that will satisfy every nagging thoughts
Search for him, who is called Jesus
You will find him for sure in the temple of your heart
The more you do, the more of him you will have

Sometimes the road seems dark
Weary and tired on your way
Stop not at anything for that peace is sure to come
Search for him, who is called Jesus
You will find him for sure in the temple of your heart
The more you do, the more of him you will have

As you reach a destination for a rest
Which never was and never will be
You knock and it is not the door
Search for him, who is called Jesus
You will find him for sure in the temple of your heart.
The more you do, the more of him you will have

Speak to him and ask if you have your doubts
If he the way, the truth and the life
Is he a sure path that men should trod
Search for him, who is called Jesus
You will find him for sure in the temple of your heart.
The more you do, the more of him you will have

If you thought you were the only one to do so
Joseph and Mary did search for him too\
And with him the countless generations in all age
Search for him, who is called Jesus
You will find him for sure in the temple of your heart.
The more you do, the more of him you will have

Prayer: Lord, I believe that it is only in searching for you that I will find you closer still in my heart and the more I do the more of you I will have.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Life and Wisdom

Today’s Gospel Text:  When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nin'eveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will arise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nin'eveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. Luke 11:29-32

Reflection: It is in our nature to seek wisdom and learn from the wise sayings of people. 

What is so special about wisdom that people seek it or even if they don’t seek it diligently are at least appreciative of it when they come across wise sayings or what they think are words of wisdom? 

In order to understand that we need to know what wisdom is all about?

Is it not saying the right thing at the right time? Or better still, is it not doing the right thing at the right time? In other words, it means performing the right action at the right time; an action that supports life and spreads life.

Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds." Matt 11:19

If this is how we understand the meaning of the word wisdom then it is but natural and in our human nature to seek wisdom. The very nature of the mind that seeks survival and happiness desires wisdom.

  

Ultimately, it has everything to do with life and promoting life. If our actions does not promote life then it is not wise action in the sight of God. 

But who will judge what is it that promotes life and what is that destroys life? What is many a times immediate gain for life is in the long run detrimental for life.

The fact that all our wise actions ultimately lead us to death should be an indication to us that we cannot be  crucibles of wisdom. What is more,  people may end up in greater misery after an immediate gain.

No wonder Jesus reserves such strong words against the people for rejecting him who came as the author and source of life (Jn. 10:10)

His words are spirit and they are life, his actions only brought healing to life and deliverance from the enemy of life and he ultimately died on  the cross breathing forth life for all who would believe in him. 

Prayer: Jesus source of all wisdom, as I come before you with my sinful and miserable self, moving towards the decay of death, breathe your life in me.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us