From Mary’s point of view

Every year Joseph and I would travel to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. We had been doing this for about twelve years traveling with our baby and later with our growing child. This year Jesus was twelve and we trusted Jesus with increased responsibility and freedom, although my mother’s heart felt a bit anxious. On the last day of the feast, I was preparing food for the journey home, while Joseph took care of our animal and belongings. Packing and saying good-bye was our intent. Joseph knew Jesus would be helping with packing and feeding our donkey, so he was not concerned about Jesus’ whereabouts. Of course, he would be assisting his mother and some of her friends. Mary likewise was not overly concerned. After all Jesus was now twelve, considered an adult and old enough to travel with the men. How proud I was of my grown Son!

When our traveling party stopped for an early evening meal, Joseph and I panicked. “Mary, isn’t Jesus with you?” “Joseph, I last saw him with the men. Didn’t he stay with you?” Apparently “Jesus remained behind unknown to his parents. Thinking he was in the party, they continued their journey…looking for him among their relatives and acquaintances” (Lk.2:44). A continued search in the group of travelers seemed useless, and “they returned to Jerusalem in search of him” (Lk. 2:45). Finally on the third day the parents spotted their Boy. They wanted to run to Him but held back, for He sat “in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions” Lk.2:46). Mary and Joseph looked as amazed as the teachers. Where did he get such intelligence? But first they needed the answer to a more urgent question: “Son, why have you done this to us? You see that your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow” (Lk. 2:48). Jesus seemed as surprised at their question as he was theirs. For Jesus the answer to “Did you not know I had to be in my Father’s house?” seemed obvious. But his parents “did not grasp what he said to them” (Lk. 2:50).