Meditation 56
LIFE AT NAZARETH
The Loss of the Child.
The culminating point of this hidden life, and even apparently in contradiction with it, is when Jesus, so obedient, so submissive and so retiring suddenly manifests Himself and, so it would appear, declares Himself independent. Let us meditate on the profound mysteries of this behavior and its bearing on Mary.
1. He goes up to the Temple.
Jesus is already twelve. He is no longer a little child. He is an adolescent who with irresistible beauty and the fascination of incomparable charm, draws to Himself the love of all. Look at Him, the desire of the eternal hills. Since He is twelve, He is subject to the Law. As such, He must go to Jerusalem three times a year and take part in the ritual feasts. Many days before, Mary would so tell Him and He would begin to rejoice and look forward to the journey although He did not reveal what was going to happen.
When the appointed day arrives Joseph and Mary take the Child and set out on their journey. Let us follow them and listen to their conversation. Let us see what they do. Let us feel their fervor as they go to the Temple to pray and offer sacrifice.
Compare this journey with the previous ones. Gone are the hardships and preoccupations of the journey to Bethlehem. The nightmare flight to Egypt is finished. Today they proceed happy and contented and yet it is during this journey that a greater bitterness, a far greater trial than on any previous journey awaits them. Adore the divine plans, respect God's Holy Will, which often, when they least expect it, prepares a trial by sorrow for His dear ones.
[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]
LIFE AT NAZARETH
The Loss of the Child.
The culminating point of this hidden life, and even apparently in contradiction with it, is when Jesus, so obedient, so submissive and so retiring suddenly manifests Himself and, so it would appear, declares Himself independent. Let us meditate on the profound mysteries of this behavior and its bearing on Mary.
1. He goes up to the Temple.
Jesus is already twelve. He is no longer a little child. He is an adolescent who with irresistible beauty and the fascination of incomparable charm, draws to Himself the love of all. Look at Him, the desire of the eternal hills. Since He is twelve, He is subject to the Law. As such, He must go to Jerusalem three times a year and take part in the ritual feasts. Many days before, Mary would so tell Him and He would begin to rejoice and look forward to the journey although He did not reveal what was going to happen.
When the appointed day arrives Joseph and Mary take the Child and set out on their journey. Let us follow them and listen to their conversation. Let us see what they do. Let us feel their fervor as they go to the Temple to pray and offer sacrifice.
Compare this journey with the previous ones. Gone are the hardships and preoccupations of the journey to Bethlehem. The nightmare flight to Egypt is finished. Today they proceed happy and contented and yet it is during this journey that a greater bitterness, a far greater trial than on any previous journey awaits them. Adore the divine plans, respect God's Holy Will, which often, when they least expect it, prepares a trial by sorrow for His dear ones.
[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]
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