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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. Luke 2:41-51

Reflection: Talk about families and relationships and it often is more difficult to maintain a sound relationship within families and relatives.

                                        

There is often so much of bickering, slander and gossip that it often has to be kept under wraps in the presence of one another.

These relationships are often maintained by keeping the others at arm’s length and if possible, and need be, are invited only for special gatherings, maintaining the bond of peace at any cost.

Some even indulge in a policy of healthy respect; which in our times includes a certain kind of etiquette, of not asking any personal questions, nor show any signs of inquisitiveness so as not to hurt the sensitive ones among them.

Our culture has developed certain norms of privacy and respect to maintain standards of relationships.

On the other hand you look at the gospel story of today and the relationship the large family of Jesus enjoyed and the trust and confidence that they had among themselves is praise worthy.

When the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem to be after his Father’s business, the parents of Jesus started looking out for him.

They first thought that he was in the company of the their kinsfolk and acquaintances and thought that Jesus was possibly with one of them.

This proves the comfort level among the kinsfolk and relatives and the type of relationship that they enjoyed among themselves; a relationship of mutual trust and confidence which can only come about when there is a high level of trust in God and ones action is based on this trust..

It was a community of faith lived by a community of relatives; a community of forgiveness and love.  

We see the level of trust in this; that even after a day’s journey they seemed unperturbed with the absence of Jesus because they thought that he was with one of them and hence they seemed like one large family.

Prayer: Lord, bless your people who call on your name that we may live as one community trusting in your great mercies.

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