"I Must Be In MY FATHER's House."

"Every year, the parents of JESUS went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, as was customary.  And when JESUS was twelve years old, HE went up with them, according to the custom of this feast.  After the festival was over, they returned, but the boy JESUS remained in Jerusalem; and HIS parents did not know it.

They assumed that HE was in their group of travelers, and, after walking the whole day, they looked for HIM among their relatives and friends.  As they did not find HIM, they went back to Jerusalem, searching for HIM; and, on the third day, they found HIM in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions.  And all the people were amazed at HIS understanding and HIS answers.

HIS parents were very surprised when they saw HIM; and HIS mother said to HIM, 'Son, why have YOU done this to us?  YOUR father and I were very worried while searching for YOU.'  Then HE said to them, 'Why were you looking for ME?  Did you not know that I must be in MY FATHER'S house?'  But they did not understand this answer.

JESUS went down with them, returning to Nazareth, and HE continued to be obedient to them.  As for HIS mother, she kept all these things in her heart." - Luke 2:41-51  

(During HIS Nazareth years JESUS discovers life as any child or youth of HIS age.  HE does not receive special education.  Nor does HE manifest extraordinary talents, other than perfect judgment to assess and evaluate everything according to GOD's criteria.

What was the deep experience of JESUS, how did the Son of GOD place HIMSELF in this world of humans, step by step, as HE discovered it?  Luke has given us but one instance that to him was significant as it had been for Mary herself.

At twelve an adolescent was to observe religious prescriptions, among them the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the feasts.  Seated in the shade of the temple galleries, the teachers of the law used to teach groups of pilgrims and to dialogue with them.

It is on this occasion for the first time that JESUS disconcerts HIS entourage.  Why have YOU done this?  The Gospel highlights this misunderstanding: Mary reproaches JESUS and JESUS reproaches HIS parents.  It then emphasizes the awareness JESUS has of HIS privileged relationship with the FATHER and HIS total availability for HIS mission.  If, the discovery of the temple, heart of the nation, center of Israel's religion, stirred new feelings in HIM, HE could have asked permission or forewarned HIS parents.  How could HE remain two days without thinking HIS parents would be anxiously searching for HIM?  HE must have thought this suffering was necessary and conquered HIS liberty in a radical way before returning home with them.  JESUS had to experience all of human life, sin excepted; in HIS own way HE passed through the stages of psychological development.  Instead of speaking of the lost child it would be more exact to say that the youthful JESUS found HIMSELF.

It might seem strange that Mary did not think to tell JESUS one day of HIS origin and who Joseph was for HIM.  If we hold to this account, it is JESUS who takes the lead over Mary and Joseph and tells them HIMSELF whose Son HE is: I must be in MY FATHER's house.

They did not understand this answer.  Mary had heard the message of the annunciation and knew that JESUS was the Son of GOD.  She undoubtedly never thought that being the Son of GOD would be what JESUS had just done.  In the same way GOD oftentimes disconcerts us even if we know very well what HE wants.)

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