My dear parishioners,
Peace! The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights the “prayer of the rosary” as a popular substitute for the Liturgy of the Hours in the Western Church (§ 2678). In praying the rosary we “meditate on the mysteries of Christ” engaging our “thought, imagination, emotion, and desire” leading not only to “knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus” but “union with Him” (§ 2708). In fact the rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an “epitome of the whole Gospel” and is also an expression of “devotion to the Virgin Mary” (§ 971). Here we consider the fourth of the Joyful Mysteries, the Finding of the Child of the Lord Jesus in the Temple.
There is no liturgical feast, memorial or solemnity of the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple.
In Sacred Scripture we read about the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple in Luke 2:41-52. The infancy and holy childhood of Christ the Lord concludes with His returning to Nazareth where He lived in obedience to Our Lady and Saint Joseph. In this light the harmony of the Holy Family teaches us also about the Fourth Commandment: Honor your father and your mother (cf. Deuteronomy 5:16; Exodus 20:12; Mark 7:10; Matthew 15:4; 19:19; Luke 18:20; Ephesians 6:2). The Lord Jesus was a good kid, not just to the Eternal Father in Heaven but to Mary and Joseph no less. We can imagine Him eating His vegetables, doing His chores, going to sleep at the direction of Our Lady and Saint Joseph. We should live accordingly.
The fruit of the mystery of the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple is piety. The Lord Jesus was about His Father’s business, not just on Good Friday, but throughout His life on Earth. In asking and answering the questions of the scholars and doctors of the Law, the Lord also showed His familiarity with Sacred Scripture. How familiar are we with the Sacred Text? The piety of the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph are evident too in that they would make a pilgrimage each year for the Feast of the Passover. We can ask ourselves how pious are we? Are we always about our Heavenly Father’s business? Do we go on pilgrimages? Each Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation we have the responsibility to make a pilgrimage to our Parish Church for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Some people even make the pilgrimage to their Parish Church for daily Mass. Another aspect of the Finding of the Child Jesus is that He was first “lost.” Mary and Joseph were worried, looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. Let us be sure to pray for parents who have lost a child and for lost children that they too may be found. The piety taught by the mystery of the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple is not only vertical (toward God), but also horizontal (toward neighbor).
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr