Joyful Mysteries: The Finding in the Temple

May 29, 202500:18:15

Have you ever wanted to grow in your understanding and devotion to the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary? Join Dr. Ben Akers and professors from the Augustine Institute Graduate School as they walk through these Biblical mysteries and seek to grow in understanding and love for Christ through them.

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[00:06]
Host
Hello, welcome to form. Now we're in a fifth part of our five part series on the Bible study on the Joyful mysteries. And joining me today is Dr. James Prothro, a professor at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. And we, Jim, we've been going through these mysteries and we've gone through other mysteries of, of the rosary. So if you'd like to, to go back and look at some of the other resources we have on formed and what has been really beneficial for me, and I know some viewers well, is to go through the scripture passages. So it just really helps me pray. And our viewers pray the mysteries more attentively. And we're now at the fifth joyful mystery, which is the finding of the child Jesus in the temple. Where should we start?
[00:47]
Dr. James Prothro
Oh my goodness. So we should start for this one. In Luke chapter two, the Joyful mystery is really. You can just read through the first couple chapters of Luke and we'll find it and we'll start in verse 41. So do you want me to read it? Do you want to read?
[01:00]
Host
I can read and then you can comment.
[01:03]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah.
[01:04]
Host
So we're in Luke Chapter Chapter 2. 41. If you want to get your Bible. Now, his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of Passover. This is something that people would do, Right. That the Jews would do is make a pilgrimage at certain times of the year.
[01:17]
Dr. James Prothro
That's right. For these major feasts. And one interesting thing with this is that, is that Mary goes along. So it's the heads of the households, it's the men that are required to go for the pilgrimage. Usually you leave the woman home. Right. Or with the little kids or something like that. But you can see the piety of the whole family. Family and of Our lady along with St. Joseph, that she is going to Jerusalem as well and that they're bringing Jesus with them.
[01:41]
Host
Would it be. So I know there are three pilgrimage feasts. Do we know would they make every pilgrimage feast or was it one of the three you would make it to Jerusalem.
[01:51]
Dr. James Prothro
So ideally you're supposed to make all of them. Right.
[01:54]
Host
Because they're living way up north.
[01:56]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah. And there's certain things that you can do to sort of send things or send offerings, but really somebody is supposed to go from the household for the major feasts.
[02:04]
Host
And Jesus is too young to go by himself at the time this.
[02:07]
Dr. James Prothro
Yes.
[02:10]
Host
Right. And Joseph's still alive. So what just points. Joseph's going to be alive in the story. Mary is alive. Jesus, great holy family. He was 12 years old. They went up according to the custom, and when the feast was ended and they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey and they sought him among their kinfolk and acquaintances. And when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem seeking him. After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
[02:42]
Dr. James Prothro
Can you imagine?
[02:44]
Host
Yeah, yeah. Well, first of all, what I can't imagine is like, how did, are they irresponsible parents? How did they not know that Jesus was with them? I'm sure there's like, there's a mystery here. Clearly there's a mystery.
[02:56]
Dr. James Prothro
Perhaps. I'm thinking it's obviously a mystery. Yeah. My mind goes much more to like the practical realities of. Okay, well, everybody else from Nazareth, you know, came up and now we're all leaving at the same time in the same caravan because you want to, you want to be a family alone on the roads, right. It can be dangerous, right. So you go in a group. He's 12, I might, yeah, he's my 7 year old, has friends. I might lose her for an hour or two, right? Jesus is 12. She'll be like, oh, yeah, he's over there with, you know, Johnny's family. And then they're over here and everything.
[03:29]
Host
John the Baptist family. Yeah.
[03:31]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah. Thank you. I was just grabbing a name out of, out of random. I was grabbing a name at random. But, but, yeah, so, but, but they, they, they can't find him. And then they search for him and they look for him in Jerusalem and it takes three days, this whole finding of Jesus.
[03:45]
Host
Right. So they go one full day away. They realize he's not there at night, so the next morning they get up and they go back.
[03:52]
Dr. James Prothro
And then the next day they find him. Yeah, So I think that's right. It's three days, including the first and the third day. So not three days after, like they find him and then the next day starts and that counts. 1. Just like the crucifixion and the Resurrection, right. Where he dies on Friday, stays in the tomb on Saturday, and then rises early on the third day. So it's 1, 2, 3. Even though it feels like there's only one full day in between.
[04:17]
Host
Do you remember Blockbuster Video? That's how they did their videos. You had to be here for three days. But it's due tomorrow.
[04:21]
Dr. James Prothro
I know.
[04:24]
Host
So different times. Okay, so after three days and they find Jesus with the Teachers in the temple. It's really amazing to contemplate. So Jesus is 12 years old, and they're all who heard him. Verse 47, Luke 2. 47. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your Father and I have been looking for you anxiously. And he said to them, how is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? And they did not understand the saying which he had spoke to them. He went down to Nazareth with them and came to. Sorry. He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. And his mother kept all these things in her heart.
[05:09]
Dr. James Prothro
Beautiful, beautiful. And there's one verse here that I want to bring up. And then we can maybe come back to Jesus there in the temple, because like you said, it's amazing that he's sitting there with the teachers and everybody's amazed at his answers that he's giving and the questions that he's asking. Right. And there's, there's. We all know. And if you, if you teach, you know. Right. There's a difference between. Or if you're a student, you know, there's a difference between being able to give the right answer when somebody else asks you the question and then being able to come up with a good question. Right, Right. To really penetrate an issue, that takes a different kind of sort of wisdom and learning. So Jesus is there. It's quite amazing. And there's an interesting note here in verse 52. Just the last verse. No, I want to tack it on here. It says, jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. Now this happens, and it's true. It's also worded in a particular way for Luke to make us think of somebody else who was interesting, grew up around the temple and priests whose mother had prayed for him and sang a song and who also, it says, increased in wisdom and stature and favor with God and men. And that's Samuel. And I love reading the Samuel story in the book of First Samuel, those first few chapters there. One of the things that's amazing to me is actually, on the one hand, how much there is in common between Jesus and Samuel and the way that Luke presents Jesus to us and his childhood. But then also the contrast. And this is where I see the biggest contrast. I mean, obviously Jesus is divine and Samuel isn't. So that's a big contrast. But right here, when Samuel's young, he's there. He's in the shrine at Shiloh. They don't have the big temple yet, but they don't have the sort of moving tent either. They have the shrine there at Shiloh in a little house. And he's there, and he's staying by the Ark of the Covenant. And he hears the Lord speaking, but he doesn't recognize it. And the priest, Eli has to tell him when he realized, like, maybe God is talking to him. Right?
[07:16]
Host
Lord, your servant is listening.
[07:17]
Dr. James Prothro
Exactly. Yeah, yeah. And so Samuel comes in. Speak, Lord, your servant's listening. So Samuel is just learning how to listen to God and communicate with God. And he's learning it from his teacher, right? Eli, the priest, even though he's not. Not the greatest priest there in 1st Samuel, Jesus is here in the temple and he's very Samuel like. Yeah, but he's the one asking the questions, right? He's the one teaching, right. His relationship with the Father is already set and intact. His mission from the Father is already set and intact, right. His sort of being, being together with the divine will is already there. So Jesus div. Even though on the one hand you see his humanity, where he increases in wisdom, acquiring new bits of human knowledge, he increases in stature, right? He gets taller and everything like that, right. He gets some whiskers. And yet the fullness of who he is, even in his mind, is already there and present before he shows up. He doesn't have to get this from anybody else. He's asking questions and answering them with the teachers. And it's amazing everyone, right? It's just to think about our Lord and the wonderful mystery, you know, the incarnation that we celebrate in these mysteries, really all of the mysteries that Jesus is both growing and also already has the fullness of knowledge.
[08:39]
Host
No, thank you. At the same time, thank you for bringing that. Because I remember many times in my different type places of formation and priests even saying, well, when did Jesus know he was God? When did Jesus know what his mission was? And it's a question that the Gospel writers aren't writing the Gospels to answer. But clearly from this scene, Jesus knows who he is and he knows what he's about, the task that the Father has given him.
[09:02]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah, yeah. And you can. And you can see that then in his response too, right? So Mary and Joseph find him. And his mother said to him, this is in verse 48. My translation is slightly different because I've got the ESVCE and he's got the RSV. But that's just fine. So, same word of God. And Mary says, why were you sorry? Mary says, why have you treated us so? Your father and I have been searching for you in great distress. And he said to them, why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my father's house or about my father's business? So he knows exactly who his son he is marries, but also supremely and for his mission, he knows that his father is God the Father. And that's going to actually set him at a bit of distance from the people who love him in a human way and even people who love him in a more than human way, because it's going to have to lead him always to actually abandon them briefly, and they're going to feel that way just like this.
[10:02]
Host
Yeah. It reminds me of just the. The mystery, you know, the presentation in the temple where Simeon has the prophecy about the sword piercing the mother's heart. I can't. I imagine this is one of the first fulfillments of that.
[10:14]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah.
[10:15]
Host
Being pierced. Of having. Looking for her son and then his response and trying to understand. She ponders them and keeps them in her heart to meditate on them. But I'm sure that was a dart.
[10:25]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah, no, I bet. So, you know, and he's. He's there. He's. He. He says, I've got to be about my father's business or in my father's house. Says among my father's things. And you can translate that as my. My, like my father's stuff to do or my father's like, furniture, you know, and so both of those are okay translations, but. But it's because he's doing the will of the Father and is part of the mission of salvation in salvation history here in his own childhood, that he's actually scaring Mary. Right. In a human way.
[10:58]
Host
Yeah.
[10:58]
Dr. James Prothro
And I mean, I don't know about you, but there's. I find that. I find that particularly. There's a lot to meditate on.
[11:04]
Host
There is. And as you're talking. I'm just stressing of. I was reflecting on Son. Why have you treated us so your father and I have been looking for you. And then he says, no, that's not my father. So even for Joseph, a dart for his own heart of. He was. He's the adopted foster father chosen by the father to be the father to, you know, to his son.
[11:26]
Dr. James Prothro
Father. Father. Father.
[11:27]
Host
Father, Father, Father. Exactly. But the idea of that, you know, your father and I, Mary identifying with Joseph in that relationship, like we're looking for you. And he's like, I'm with my father and I'm doing my father's business. So. Yeah, definitely a lot to think about here. Is there any significance to the being 12 years old?
[11:45]
Dr. James Prothro
Probably a lot. I mean, 12 is a really important biblical number.
[11:48]
Host
Okay.
[11:50]
Dr. James Prothro
Excuse me.
[11:50]
Host
Nothing comes to mind for me. I just. I didn't know if it was like. I know that in Jewish communities today, like a bar mitzvah, like a coming into manhood is kind of a transition time. Is that age.
[12:00]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah, that's right. It's. It's definitely around that age in the ancient world. So I would. I would guess that this has some significance. Right. He's not 2. Yeah, right. He's 12. Right. And this is the period of time.
[12:11]
Host
When he's not a baby, he's not an infant, he's not a toddler. That's not a man yet.
[12:16]
Dr. James Prothro
That's right.
[12:17]
Host
And he's not even a teenager. He's preteen.
[12:19]
Dr. James Prothro
That's right. Yeah. But he's. But his course is being set already. Yeah.
[12:24]
Host
The Looking in verse 48, your father and I have been looking for you. Makes me think of just the. Also the presentation, like looking back in this, the narrative of Luke's Gospel where Anna is looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
[12:35]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah.
[12:36]
Host
So she's looking. There's a searching. There's a longing for it. And they've been longing and searching to find him. That Hannah connection made me think of that too. That Hannah from Samuel.
[12:46]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.
[12:48]
Host
So this is also. Seems to be. I mean, is there anything else like that you think echoes to the Old Testament before? We kind of. I think it's foreshadowing something in his own life later too.
[12:59]
Dr. James Prothro
Definitely. That, that's, that's. That's where I. Where I look first, actually, is the foreshadowing of what's.
[13:05]
Host
Great. Let's go there. What else? Yeah. How does this. What does this point to later in Christ's life?
[13:10]
Dr. James Prothro
Well, I mean, so as. As we said. Right. You' days. And what's Jesus doing? The will of the Father and the will of the Father that even those closest to him don't exactly understand. Right. Or don't comprehend in a full way. And it causes them pain, and yet they have great joy on finding him again on the third day and ought to make us think about the cross and then the resurrection. Right, Right. Jesus goes to the cross. Not my will, but yours be done. He prays in Gethsemane. He moves all the way up the Hill tells the women on the road, right, don't weep for me, weep for your children. Gives his mother to John, the beloved disciple there, says, it's finished and dies. Well, what's finished? Well, his hour has come. The plan of salvation that's been there from before, the foundation of the world. We learn in Ephesians that God's plan to save God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the same plan that he's already on the move for, even here in Luke chapter two. And that's when he finally brings it home. But it's not as though no matter how many times he told them, I'm going to die, right? I'm going to be handed over and crucified and I'll rise again on the third day. No matter how many times he told them, they still don't quite get it. And so you think about the experience of the 12, but we find out from the book of Acts and the book of John that Mary's there with the 12, too. Think about the experience of losing Jesus for that period of time when you can't see the end. It's kind of like the experience of having a son lost. And you know he's out there somewhere, but you don't know if you're ever going to see him again. Right? And think about the joy that Mary experiences and Joseph experiences when they finally see him again on the third day. And think about the even greater joy that this foreshadows on Easter.
[15:08]
Host
Yeah.
[15:10]
Dr. James Prothro
And it. I mean, this, this, this is. This is where, when, when I. When I pray, this mystery. This is where I sit for the longest, I think, because how, how many times in your own life or in the lives of others that you're praying for? Do you know somebody? Right? Do you know that God is doing his thing and doing his work of salvation? That's his job, that's his business. That's what he loves to do. God is always moving things toward the ultimate end of good and the renewal of the world, right? And the renewal of us in our hearts. And how many times do you wonder where on earth he is in your own life? And you go like, lord, I thought I was with you. And you seem to be gone.
[15:50]
Host
Yeah.
[15:51]
Dr. James Prothro
And I want to see you again. And so I. This, this is a mystery where I spend a lot of time interceding for people that I know either have some natural knowledge of God or really have faith. But they're struggling, right? They've got broken hearts or they're afraid or they're confused. They don't know what God is doing in their life right now. And I just, I pray that God would encounter them and let them find Him. The book of Isaiah says, seek the Lord where He is to be found. I think it's in chapter 55. Yeah, I'm forgetting that.
[16:21]
Host
And Isaiah also, as you say, Isaiah, like the God is a hidden God.
[16:24]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's right.
[16:26]
Host
Get to search for him and find Him.
[16:27]
Dr. James Prothro
That's right. But he reveals himself. He. He unhides himself for us to show Himself to us. And always praying for, I mean, for myself, certainly in certain times, but, but, but, but for other people, always that, that, that they would see him again. Right. When they're confused. Because God's always doing his thing. Right. Jesus isn't lost. He's in the temple.
[16:49]
Host
He knows where he is.
[16:50]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah, but sure, she's scared.
[16:51]
Host
Yeah.
[16:52]
Dr. James Prothro
Right. We were looking for you. Right. We've been searching for you in great distress or with anxiety. Right. And that's the experience of so many of us.
[17:02]
Host
Fulton Sheen, the great Catholic speaker and author, mentions this scene in regards to people in the state of mortal sin. He said, now Mary and Joseph would have never committed mortal sin. So they don't know sin, but they do know what it's like to not have Jesus in their life. So just complimenting the point that you've been making of to pray for people at this mystery who don't have Jesus in their life or they can't find Jesus. We know that he's there, but that we. He. They're looking for Him. They're searching for him that they may find him and then rejoice greatly when they do find Him.
[17:32]
Dr. James Prothro
Amen.
[17:33]
Host
Well, thank you, Jim, for joining me. Thank you for your insights into this, this, this mystery of the Rosary, and thank you for joining us in this series. We've gone through the five joyful mysteries of the Rosary. We have a series where we've gone through the other mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Glorious Mysteries, the Luminous Mysteries as well. So if you've enjoyed this, we're grateful. We have a mission circle where people, you know, who've benefited from conversations like we're having, donate monthly to the work of the Augustine Institute, to the work of formed and the Graduate school as well. So if you'd like to join that, if the Lord has put that on your heart, I encourage you to look at our mission circle. But regardless, thank you for your support and God bless it.

Joyful Mysteries: The Finding in the Temple

May 29, 202500:18:15

Summary5 min read

Podcast Summary: "Joyful Mysteries: The Finding in the Temple"

Podcast Information:

Title: Catholic Bible Study
Host/Author: Augustine Institute
Episode: Joyful Mysteries: The Finding in the Temple
Release Date: May 29, 2025

Introduction

In the final installment of their five-part series on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, the Augustine Institute presents an insightful exploration of "The Finding in the Temple." Hosted by a knowledgeable presenter and featuring Dr. James Prothro, a professor at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, this episode delves deep into the scriptural and theological significance of this pivotal event in the life of Jesus.

Scripture Passage: Luke 2:41-52

The discussion centers around Luke Chapter 2, particularly verses 41 to 52, which narrate the story of Jesus' parents taking Him to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover.

Host:
"We're now at the fifth joyful mystery, which is the finding of the child Jesus in the temple. Where should we start?" [00:05]

Dr. James Prothro:
"You can read through the first couple chapters of Luke and we'll find it and we'll start in verse 41." [00:47]

The passage describes how Mary, Joseph, and young Jesus participate in the traditional pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Unlike the common custom where women remained home, Mary joins the journey, highlighting the family's piety and collective devotion.

Discussion

The Pilgrimage and Family Piety

Host:
"Mary goes along. So it's the heads of the households, it's the men that are required to go for the pilgrimage. Usually you leave the woman home... But you can see the piety of the whole family." [01:17]

Dr. Prothro emphasizes the significance of the family traveling together, bringing Jesus along, which underscores their dedication and unity in faith.

The Missing Jesus: Practical Considerations

When Jesus, at twelve years old, remains behind unbeknownst to His parents, questions arise about parental oversight.

Host:
"What I can't imagine is like, how did, are they irresponsible parents? How did they not know that Jesus was with them?" [02:44]

Dr. Prothro:
"Perhaps... traveling in a group. He’s 12, he might be with friends... sometimes children wander off without parents noticing for a short period." [02:56]

This practical perspective offers a logical explanation, mitigating concerns of irresponsibility and highlighting normal family dynamics during travel.

Jesus in the Temple: Wisdom Beyond His Years

Upon finding Jesus in the temple, the narrative captures His profound understanding and inquisitiveness.

Host:
"All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers..." [04:07]

Dr. Prothro draws a parallel between Jesus and the Old Testament figure Samuel, noting similarities in their spiritual insight and growth in wisdom.

Comparative Theology: Jesus and Samuel

Dr. Prothro:
"There's a lot in common between Jesus and Samuel... but the contrast is clear as Jesus is divine." [06:00]

He elaborates on Samuel's early experiences with God and contrasts them with Jesus' inherent divine relationship with the Father, emphasizing Jesus' unique role in salvation history.

Jesus' Divine Mission

The episode delves into Jesus' awareness of His divine mission even at a young age.

Dr. Prothro:
"Jesus knows who he is and he knows what he's about, the task that the Father has given him." [08:39]

This section highlights Jesus' dual nature—fully human yet possessing divine knowledge and purpose, setting Him apart from other biblical figures.

Parental Distress and Spiritual Reflection

The interaction between Mary and Jesus introduces themes of parental concern and divine purpose.

Host:
"Son, why have you treated us so?... [05:08]

Dr. Prothro:
"He knows exactly who he is... and is set apart for his mission." [09:02]

This dialogue serves as a profound reflection on the tension between human relationships and divine missions, illustrating the challenges Jesus will face in prioritizing His heavenly calling over familial bonds.

Significance of Jesus' Age

The choice of a twelve-year-old Jesus is intentional, symbolizing a critical period of growth and impending transition.

Dr. Prothro:
"12 is a really important biblical number... around that age in the ancient world." [11:45]

This age marks a threshold between childhood and full maturity, paralleling Jesus' forthcoming journey towards His ultimate mission.

Old Testament Echoes and Future Foreshadowing

The episode draws connections between this New Testament event and Old Testament narratives, enriching the theological tapestry.

Host:
"The presentation in the temple... reminds me of Simeon’s prophecy..." [10:14]

Dr. Prothro:
"This foreshadows the cross and the resurrection." [13:05]

These intertextual links enhance the understanding of Jesus' mission, framing His early life within the broader context of biblical prophecy and divine plan.

Application: Seeking God in Times of Uncertainty

The discussion transitions to personal application, encouraging listeners to seek God even when His presence feels distant.

Dr. Prothro:
"How many times do you wonder where on earth he is in your own life?... God is always moving things toward the ultimate end of good." [15:09]

This meditation connects the biblical narrative to contemporary faith struggles, offering hope and guidance for those feeling spiritually lost or uncertain.

Fulton Sheen’s Insight

The episode incorporates Fulton Sheen’s perspective on Mary and Joseph's experience, providing a deeper understanding of parental distress intertwined with faith.

Host:
"Fulton Sheen mentions this scene in regards to people in the state of mortal sin... they're looking for you and rejoice greatly when they do find you." [17:25]

This reflection emphasizes the transformative joy that comes from rediscovering a lost spiritual path, paralleling the parents' relief and joy upon finding Jesus.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up by reaffirming the significance of the Joyful Mysteries series and encouraging continued engagement with the Rosary's contemplative practices.

Host:
"Thank you for joining me in this series... we've gone through the five joyful mysteries of the Rosary." [17:33]

Listeners are invited to support the Augustine Institute's mission through the Mission Circle, fostering a community dedicated to deepening Catholic faith and understanding.

Key Quotes:

Host [00:05]:
"We're now at the fifth joyful mystery, which is the finding of the child Jesus in the temple."
Dr. Prothro [02:56]:
"Perhaps... traveling in a group. He’s 12, he might be with friends... sometimes children wander off without parents noticing for a short period."
Dr. Prothro [08:39]:
"Jesus knows who he is and he knows what he's about, the task that the Father has given him."
Dr. Prothro [15:09]:
"How many times do you wonder where on earth he is in your own life?... God is always moving things toward the ultimate end of good."

Final Thoughts

"Joyful Mysteries: The Finding in the Temple" offers a rich theological exploration of a key event in Jesus' youth, blending scriptural analysis with practical spiritual application. Through the expertise of Dr. James Prothro and the thoughtful guidance of the host, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the mysteries of the Rosary and their relevance to personal faith journeys.

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Transcript69 lines

[00:06]
Host
Hello, welcome to form. Now we're in a fifth part of our five part series on the Bible study on the Joyful mysteries. And joining me today is Dr. James Prothro, a professor at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. And we, Jim, we've been going through these mysteries and we've gone through other mysteries of, of the rosary. So if you'd like to, to go back and look at some of the other resources we have on formed and what has been really beneficial for me, and I know some viewers well, is to go through the scripture passages. So it just really helps me pray. And our viewers pray the mysteries more attentively. And we're now at the fifth joyful mystery, which is the finding of the child Jesus in the temple. Where should we start?
[00:47]
Dr. James Prothro
Oh my goodness. So we should start for this one. In Luke chapter two, the Joyful mystery is really. You can just read through the first couple chapters of Luke and we'll find it and we'll start in verse 41. So do you want me to read it? Do you want to read?
[01:00]
Host
I can read and then you can comment.
[01:03]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah.
[01:04]
Host
So we're in Luke Chapter Chapter 2. 41. If you want to get your Bible. Now, his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of Passover. This is something that people would do, Right. That the Jews would do is make a pilgrimage at certain times of the year.
[01:17]
Dr. James Prothro
That's right. For these major feasts. And one interesting thing with this is that, is that Mary goes along. So it's the heads of the households, it's the men that are required to go for the pilgrimage. Usually you leave the woman home. Right. Or with the little kids or something like that. But you can see the piety of the whole family. Family and of Our lady along with St. Joseph, that she is going to Jerusalem as well and that they're bringing Jesus with them.
[01:41]
Host
Would it be. So I know there are three pilgrimage feasts. Do we know would they make every pilgrimage feast or was it one of the three you would make it to Jerusalem.
[01:51]
Dr. James Prothro
So ideally you're supposed to make all of them. Right.
[01:54]
Host
Because they're living way up north.
[01:56]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah. And there's certain things that you can do to sort of send things or send offerings, but really somebody is supposed to go from the household for the major feasts.
[02:04]
Host
And Jesus is too young to go by himself at the time this.
[02:07]
Dr. James Prothro
Yes.
[02:10]
Host
Right. And Joseph's still alive. So what just points. Joseph's going to be alive in the story. Mary is alive. Jesus, great holy family. He was 12 years old. They went up according to the custom, and when the feast was ended and they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey and they sought him among their kinfolk and acquaintances. And when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem seeking him. After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
[02:42]
Dr. James Prothro
Can you imagine?
[02:44]
Host
Yeah, yeah. Well, first of all, what I can't imagine is like, how did, are they irresponsible parents? How did they not know that Jesus was with them? I'm sure there's like, there's a mystery here. Clearly there's a mystery.
[02:56]
Dr. James Prothro
Perhaps. I'm thinking it's obviously a mystery. Yeah. My mind goes much more to like the practical realities of. Okay, well, everybody else from Nazareth, you know, came up and now we're all leaving at the same time in the same caravan because you want to, you want to be a family alone on the roads, right. It can be dangerous, right. So you go in a group. He's 12, I might, yeah, he's my 7 year old, has friends. I might lose her for an hour or two, right? Jesus is 12. She'll be like, oh, yeah, he's over there with, you know, Johnny's family. And then they're over here and everything.
[03:29]
Host
John the Baptist family. Yeah.
[03:31]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah. Thank you. I was just grabbing a name out of, out of random. I was grabbing a name at random. But, but, yeah, so, but, but they, they, they can't find him. And then they search for him and they look for him in Jerusalem and it takes three days, this whole finding of Jesus.
[03:45]
Host
Right. So they go one full day away. They realize he's not there at night, so the next morning they get up and they go back.
[03:52]
Dr. James Prothro
And then the next day they find him. Yeah, So I think that's right. It's three days, including the first and the third day. So not three days after, like they find him and then the next day starts and that counts. 1. Just like the crucifixion and the Resurrection, right. Where he dies on Friday, stays in the tomb on Saturday, and then rises early on the third day. So it's 1, 2, 3. Even though it feels like there's only one full day in between.
[04:17]
Host
Do you remember Blockbuster Video? That's how they did their videos. You had to be here for three days. But it's due tomorrow.
[04:21]
Dr. James Prothro
I know.
[04:24]
Host
So different times. Okay, so after three days and they find Jesus with the Teachers in the temple. It's really amazing to contemplate. So Jesus is 12 years old, and they're all who heard him. Verse 47, Luke 2. 47. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your Father and I have been looking for you anxiously. And he said to them, how is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? And they did not understand the saying which he had spoke to them. He went down to Nazareth with them and came to. Sorry. He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. And his mother kept all these things in her heart.
[05:09]
Dr. James Prothro
Beautiful, beautiful. And there's one verse here that I want to bring up. And then we can maybe come back to Jesus there in the temple, because like you said, it's amazing that he's sitting there with the teachers and everybody's amazed at his answers that he's giving and the questions that he's asking. Right. And there's, there's. We all know. And if you, if you teach, you know. Right. There's a difference between. Or if you're a student, you know, there's a difference between being able to give the right answer when somebody else asks you the question and then being able to come up with a good question. Right, Right. To really penetrate an issue, that takes a different kind of sort of wisdom and learning. So Jesus is there. It's quite amazing. And there's an interesting note here in verse 52. Just the last verse. No, I want to tack it on here. It says, jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. Now this happens, and it's true. It's also worded in a particular way for Luke to make us think of somebody else who was interesting, grew up around the temple and priests whose mother had prayed for him and sang a song and who also, it says, increased in wisdom and stature and favor with God and men. And that's Samuel. And I love reading the Samuel story in the book of First Samuel, those first few chapters there. One of the things that's amazing to me is actually, on the one hand, how much there is in common between Jesus and Samuel and the way that Luke presents Jesus to us and his childhood. But then also the contrast. And this is where I see the biggest contrast. I mean, obviously Jesus is divine and Samuel isn't. So that's a big contrast. But right here, when Samuel's young, he's there. He's in the shrine at Shiloh. They don't have the big temple yet, but they don't have the sort of moving tent either. They have the shrine there at Shiloh in a little house. And he's there, and he's staying by the Ark of the Covenant. And he hears the Lord speaking, but he doesn't recognize it. And the priest, Eli has to tell him when he realized, like, maybe God is talking to him. Right?
[07:16]
Host
Lord, your servant is listening.
[07:17]
Dr. James Prothro
Exactly. Yeah, yeah. And so Samuel comes in. Speak, Lord, your servant's listening. So Samuel is just learning how to listen to God and communicate with God. And he's learning it from his teacher, right? Eli, the priest, even though he's not. Not the greatest priest there in 1st Samuel, Jesus is here in the temple and he's very Samuel like. Yeah, but he's the one asking the questions, right? He's the one teaching, right. His relationship with the Father is already set and intact. His mission from the Father is already set and intact, right. His sort of being, being together with the divine will is already there. So Jesus div. Even though on the one hand you see his humanity, where he increases in wisdom, acquiring new bits of human knowledge, he increases in stature, right? He gets taller and everything like that, right. He gets some whiskers. And yet the fullness of who he is, even in his mind, is already there and present before he shows up. He doesn't have to get this from anybody else. He's asking questions and answering them with the teachers. And it's amazing everyone, right? It's just to think about our Lord and the wonderful mystery, you know, the incarnation that we celebrate in these mysteries, really all of the mysteries that Jesus is both growing and also already has the fullness of knowledge.
[08:39]
Host
No, thank you. At the same time, thank you for bringing that. Because I remember many times in my different type places of formation and priests even saying, well, when did Jesus know he was God? When did Jesus know what his mission was? And it's a question that the Gospel writers aren't writing the Gospels to answer. But clearly from this scene, Jesus knows who he is and he knows what he's about, the task that the Father has given him.
[09:02]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah, yeah. And you can. And you can see that then in his response too, right? So Mary and Joseph find him. And his mother said to him, this is in verse 48. My translation is slightly different because I've got the ESVCE and he's got the RSV. But that's just fine. So, same word of God. And Mary says, why were you sorry? Mary says, why have you treated us so? Your father and I have been searching for you in great distress. And he said to them, why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my father's house or about my father's business? So he knows exactly who his son he is marries, but also supremely and for his mission, he knows that his father is God the Father. And that's going to actually set him at a bit of distance from the people who love him in a human way and even people who love him in a more than human way, because it's going to have to lead him always to actually abandon them briefly, and they're going to feel that way just like this.
[10:02]
Host
Yeah. It reminds me of just the. The mystery, you know, the presentation in the temple where Simeon has the prophecy about the sword piercing the mother's heart. I can't. I imagine this is one of the first fulfillments of that.
[10:14]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah.
[10:15]
Host
Being pierced. Of having. Looking for her son and then his response and trying to understand. She ponders them and keeps them in her heart to meditate on them. But I'm sure that was a dart.
[10:25]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah, no, I bet. So, you know, and he's. He's there. He's. He. He says, I've got to be about my father's business or in my father's house. Says among my father's things. And you can translate that as my. My, like my father's stuff to do or my father's like, furniture, you know, and so both of those are okay translations, but. But it's because he's doing the will of the Father and is part of the mission of salvation in salvation history here in his own childhood, that he's actually scaring Mary. Right. In a human way.
[10:58]
Host
Yeah.
[10:58]
Dr. James Prothro
And I mean, I don't know about you, but there's. I find that. I find that particularly. There's a lot to meditate on.
[11:04]
Host
There is. And as you're talking. I'm just stressing of. I was reflecting on Son. Why have you treated us so your father and I have been looking for you. And then he says, no, that's not my father. So even for Joseph, a dart for his own heart of. He was. He's the adopted foster father chosen by the father to be the father to, you know, to his son.
[11:26]
Dr. James Prothro
Father. Father. Father.
[11:27]
Host
Father, Father, Father. Exactly. But the idea of that, you know, your father and I, Mary identifying with Joseph in that relationship, like we're looking for you. And he's like, I'm with my father and I'm doing my father's business. So. Yeah, definitely a lot to think about here. Is there any significance to the being 12 years old?
[11:45]
Dr. James Prothro
Probably a lot. I mean, 12 is a really important biblical number.
[11:48]
Host
Okay.
[11:50]
Dr. James Prothro
Excuse me.
[11:50]
Host
Nothing comes to mind for me. I just. I didn't know if it was like. I know that in Jewish communities today, like a bar mitzvah, like a coming into manhood is kind of a transition time. Is that age.
[12:00]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah, that's right. It's. It's definitely around that age in the ancient world. So I would. I would guess that this has some significance. Right. He's not 2. Yeah, right. He's 12. Right. And this is the period of time.
[12:11]
Host
When he's not a baby, he's not an infant, he's not a toddler. That's not a man yet.
[12:16]
Dr. James Prothro
That's right.
[12:17]
Host
And he's not even a teenager. He's preteen.
[12:19]
Dr. James Prothro
That's right. Yeah. But he's. But his course is being set already. Yeah.
[12:24]
Host
The Looking in verse 48, your father and I have been looking for you. Makes me think of just the. Also the presentation, like looking back in this, the narrative of Luke's Gospel where Anna is looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
[12:35]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah.
[12:36]
Host
So she's looking. There's a searching. There's a longing for it. And they've been longing and searching to find him. That Hannah connection made me think of that too. That Hannah from Samuel.
[12:46]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.
[12:48]
Host
So this is also. Seems to be. I mean, is there anything else like that you think echoes to the Old Testament before? We kind of. I think it's foreshadowing something in his own life later too.
[12:59]
Dr. James Prothro
Definitely. That, that's, that's. That's where I. Where I look first, actually, is the foreshadowing of what's.
[13:05]
Host
Great. Let's go there. What else? Yeah. How does this. What does this point to later in Christ's life?
[13:10]
Dr. James Prothro
Well, I mean, so as. As we said. Right. You' days. And what's Jesus doing? The will of the Father and the will of the Father that even those closest to him don't exactly understand. Right. Or don't comprehend in a full way. And it causes them pain, and yet they have great joy on finding him again on the third day and ought to make us think about the cross and then the resurrection. Right, Right. Jesus goes to the cross. Not my will, but yours be done. He prays in Gethsemane. He moves all the way up the Hill tells the women on the road, right, don't weep for me, weep for your children. Gives his mother to John, the beloved disciple there, says, it's finished and dies. Well, what's finished? Well, his hour has come. The plan of salvation that's been there from before, the foundation of the world. We learn in Ephesians that God's plan to save God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the same plan that he's already on the move for, even here in Luke chapter two. And that's when he finally brings it home. But it's not as though no matter how many times he told them, I'm going to die, right? I'm going to be handed over and crucified and I'll rise again on the third day. No matter how many times he told them, they still don't quite get it. And so you think about the experience of the 12, but we find out from the book of Acts and the book of John that Mary's there with the 12, too. Think about the experience of losing Jesus for that period of time when you can't see the end. It's kind of like the experience of having a son lost. And you know he's out there somewhere, but you don't know if you're ever going to see him again. Right? And think about the joy that Mary experiences and Joseph experiences when they finally see him again on the third day. And think about the even greater joy that this foreshadows on Easter.
[15:08]
Host
Yeah.
[15:10]
Dr. James Prothro
And it. I mean, this, this, this is. This is where, when, when I. When I pray, this mystery. This is where I sit for the longest, I think, because how, how many times in your own life or in the lives of others that you're praying for? Do you know somebody? Right? Do you know that God is doing his thing and doing his work of salvation? That's his job, that's his business. That's what he loves to do. God is always moving things toward the ultimate end of good and the renewal of the world, right? And the renewal of us in our hearts. And how many times do you wonder where on earth he is in your own life? And you go like, lord, I thought I was with you. And you seem to be gone.
[15:50]
Host
Yeah.
[15:51]
Dr. James Prothro
And I want to see you again. And so I. This, this is a mystery where I spend a lot of time interceding for people that I know either have some natural knowledge of God or really have faith. But they're struggling, right? They've got broken hearts or they're afraid or they're confused. They don't know what God is doing in their life right now. And I just, I pray that God would encounter them and let them find Him. The book of Isaiah says, seek the Lord where He is to be found. I think it's in chapter 55. Yeah, I'm forgetting that.
[16:21]
Host
And Isaiah also, as you say, Isaiah, like the God is a hidden God.
[16:24]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's right.
[16:26]
Host
Get to search for him and find Him.
[16:27]
Dr. James Prothro
That's right. But he reveals himself. He. He unhides himself for us to show Himself to us. And always praying for, I mean, for myself, certainly in certain times, but, but, but, but for other people, always that, that, that they would see him again. Right. When they're confused. Because God's always doing his thing. Right. Jesus isn't lost. He's in the temple.
[16:49]
Host
He knows where he is.
[16:50]
Dr. James Prothro
Yeah, but sure, she's scared.
[16:51]
Host
Yeah.
[16:52]
Dr. James Prothro
Right. We were looking for you. Right. We've been searching for you in great distress or with anxiety. Right. And that's the experience of so many of us.
[17:02]
Host
Fulton Sheen, the great Catholic speaker and author, mentions this scene in regards to people in the state of mortal sin. He said, now Mary and Joseph would have never committed mortal sin. So they don't know sin, but they do know what it's like to not have Jesus in their life. So just complimenting the point that you've been making of to pray for people at this mystery who don't have Jesus in their life or they can't find Jesus. We know that he's there, but that we. He. They're looking for Him. They're searching for him that they may find him and then rejoice greatly when they do find Him.
[17:32]
Dr. James Prothro
Amen.
[17:33]
Host
Well, thank you, Jim, for joining me. Thank you for your insights into this, this, this mystery of the Rosary, and thank you for joining us in this series. We've gone through the five joyful mysteries of the Rosary. We have a series where we've gone through the other mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Glorious Mysteries, the Luminous Mysteries as well. So if you've enjoyed this, we're grateful. We have a mission circle where people, you know, who've benefited from conversations like we're having, donate monthly to the work of the Augustine Institute, to the work of formed and the Graduate school as well. So if you'd like to join that, if the Lord has put that on your heart, I encourage you to look at our mission circle. But regardless, thank you for your support and God bless it.