How many stories of the Holy Family do you know? Truthfully, there is only one. When something is unique in the Gospel that’s when you need to go to the text and ask some serious questions. Crucial questions about this story must be: when does it take place, where does it occur, what happened and what does it teach us about our life in union with our Lord Jesus.
This unique story takes place at the time of the great feast of the passover. It recalls the night in which Moses told the Hebrews that they must sacrifice a first born male lamb. Take the blood of that lamb and place it over the door posts that the angel of death might pass over that home. In the movie of the Ten Commandments there is this frightening scene where a blue midst comes and as it passes by Aaron says to those in the home: “Come and see death is passing by.” That night the wailing and mourning of the Egyptians could be heard from every corner. This was the night of the Passover which faithful Jews would commemorate for 7 days before returning home.
But there is a second aspect to this question of “when” because we must be aware of the fact that the Lord Jesus is now twelve years of age. It is the time of male development which calls the young man to his vocation. Jesus is an only child and therefore according to rabbinic tradition He is a “Child of the Covenant”. He is meant to take up his role in society at this age.
Let us now turn to the location in which this story takes place. We find ourselves in the city of Jerusalem. It is the center of the cultus, the place of the holy of holies. This is where all the significant relationship with God occurs. At the center of this magnificent city is the Temple. Here is the spot where the paschal lamb is offered to Yahweh. This is where the first born lambs were slaughtered for the glory of God. To this location the Holy Family came each year to fulfill their duty of worship to the Father Who sent His Son, the Lamb of God. One day there would be no more animal sacrifice for the true Lamb of God was coming onto the scene.
At the conclusion of the seven days the Lord Jesus, Son of the Father, began His Mission in relation to the Israelite nation. He stayed behind, questioned, answered and spoke with such prudence that all were in admiration. At the same time the father and mother of Jesus were on their way home when they discovered the Jesus was not with either of them nor with any of their relatives. So the two returned to the holy city and began their search for the youth. After three days they discovered Him in the temple. Only the mother went to Him and asked: “Why, Son, have you abandoned us. We have sought thee in sorrow.” He responded: “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know I must be about my FATHER’S business?”
Scripture tells us they did not understand but our Lady kept these words in her heart and meditated upon them. In the meantime Jesus arose and went back to Nazareth with them and was subject to them.
Now the key to the mystery within you and me. In our quest to do the Father’s will we must remain faithful to the traditions established by our Lord Jesus. He alone deserve our attention to the details of life. Our prayer, like His, must be focused upon the Sacrifice of the Lamb. For love cannot be separated from sacrifice and while in this world it is “sacrificial love” that calls us to an intimacy with our Lord. To attain this intimacy we must experience the “abandonment” of God. As our Lord experienced the abandonment of His Father. “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachtani.” This means “My God, my God, why hast Thou abandoned Me.” As Jesus experienced this trial so our Lady and St. Joseph experienced it. You and I must pass through the same trial and keep our eyes focused upon the imitation of the lamb of God.
Another aspect of this story which is crucial. Jesus returned and subjected Himself to His creatures. The infinite serves the finite. The greater serves the lesser. The teaching is clear…we must subject ourselves to one another in order to follow the path of Jesus. Wives be subjected to your husband in order that you might be offering reparation for the sin of pride. Eve was the one deceived and she ate to become equal to God. Husbands be subjected to the God whom you represent in the family. Husbands learn to sacrificially love your wife and children by sharing the eternal word with them. Subjection imitates and expiates. It imitates our Lord and makes the expiation necessary to purify our souls. Turn to our Lady and ponder this story in your heart. You will find more and more ways to sanctify your daily life through its meditation.
In the hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Fr. Voigt
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