January 23rd - Reflection

Reading
Luke 2:39-52 (NRSV)
Jesus increases in wisdom

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.

Reflection
We search for Jesus in anxiety. Sometimes when I search, I begin to think maybe He is not to be found. But sometime or another, I find Jesus. I may find Him in the words of one of the guys at work. I may find Him in a beautiful sight from atop mountains. I may find Him deep in prayer. But every time I do find Him, it seems that He really found me. It seems that I find Him and He seems to be astounded that I think that I found Him, when it was He that was with me all along. In the search, I find that I didn't even have to search. In the search, I find that the search wasn't about me finding Jesus, but about a love so great the Jesus came for me! God came for me! That's the astounding part of it all. That's the part that I'll never get. But, it doesn't really matter does it? He did come for me, and I will always love Him for what He did for me. Jesus came for me, and for you! Be astounded! Be loved! Wow! He is closer than you could ever know.

Prayer
Wow! What love! Thanks! --- Amen