III

The Loss of Jesus in the Temple

After they returned to Israel, the Holy Family went every year to the Temple in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. Then they would go back to their home in Nazareth.

When Jesus was twelve years old, He came of age under the Jewish Law. After the Feast of the Passover, He stayed behind in the Temple to teach about the Messiah.

Joseph and Mary did not realise this and searched for Jesus for three days.

The grief that Mary felt during this loss was a foretaste of the sorrow that she would feel during the three days when the body of Jesus lay in the tomb.

Prayer:

Blessed Virgin, why do you afflict yourself, seeking for your lost Son? Is it that you do not know where He is? Have you not known that He is in your heart? Are you unaware that He feeds among the lilies? You, yourself said it: "My Beloved to me, and I to Him, who feedeth among the lilies." (Cant. 2, 16). These, your thoughts and affections, which are humble, pure, and holy, are all lilies which invite your divine Spouse to dwell in you. Ah, Mary, you sigh after Jesus; you who love no one but Jesus. Leave sighs to me, and to so many sinners who love Him not, and who have lost Him by offending Him. My most amiable Mother, if through my fault your Son is not yet returned to my soul, obtain for me that I may find Him. I well know that He is found by those who seek Him as I ought. You are the gate through which all find Jesus; through you I also hope to find Him. Amen.