Luke 2:41-51a
In the passage, Jesus is a young boy and he goes missing for three long days. His parents panic and begin to search for him, finding him three days later in the temple in Jerusalem, where Jesus tells them he has been in his Father’s house. This is a story of growing up, but not just Jesus’ growing up. It is about Mary and Joseph, as well as all of us, growing in faith and moving toward a stronger relationship with God, each other, and ourselves.
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| To grow spiritually, we must challenge the ways we look at the world... |
Growing up does not begin and end in childhood. To grow up means we are finding a place in the world, and creating our own identity and beliefs. To grow spiritually, we must challenge the ways we look at the world, just as Jesus challenges Mary and Joseph’s views. Jesus says, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” In this statement, Jesus reminds Mary and Joseph that the Father is at the center of his world, and should be the center of theirs as well. By seeking his Father’s house, Jesus is asking Mary and Joseph, and you and I, to do the same.
For our growing up to be authentic, we must let go of people and things that are familiar or safe, and move toward a bigger place, the Father’s place. This can be uncomfortable and even frightening at times, but just as Jesus asked the disciples to “follow me” leaving their homes to live a different life, he asks us to follow him, leaving behind our limiting beliefs and trusting who we are in God. In this Lenten season, we can consider who we are, and what growing up we must do in order to continue to grow spiritually and continue to seek our Father’s house.
Katherine Krieger, M.A., C.A.G.S.
Assistant Director of Accessibility and Accommodations
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