There were legends in early Christianity about the boyhood of Jesus and the spectacular feats he performed. They were not included in the Gospels. It’s obvious that the evangelists were less interested in peripheral stories prior to Jesus’ public ministry. Such stories would be charming I’m sure, but the four Gospels don’t seem to be interested in details of Jesus’ boyhood, as quaint as they might be. Instead his ministry, death and resurrection predominate the Gospels.
One suspects that Luke has told today’s story, of the 12-year-old Jesus in the Temple, to fit in with the narration of his entire gospel. The narrative from Jesus’ childhood seems dull and unexceptional, compared to details of fantasy that circulated in the early church about his boyhood. This passage is included because, rather than a tale of fantastic works, the story focuses on the climactic statement the boy Jesus makes, “I must be in my Father’s house” (or, “about my Father’s business”). It isn’t an astounding deed that stands out the story; it’s the early signs of Jesus’ awareness of his call and future ministry.
Jesus’ life is already revealing the reason his Father sent him: he “must” fulfill his vocation. Later in the gospel he will put it another way, “I must proclaim the Good News” (Luke 4:43). In Luke’s gospel Jesus will turn his face to Jerusalem where, he tells his disciples, he “must” suffer and die (9:22; 17:25). Today’s passage shows Jesus initiating steps that will eventually take him away from the comfort of his loving (and as we learned today, somewhat bewildered) parents and eventually lead him to the cross where he “must” be about the will of his Father. On his journey to the cross he will see the pain and desperation of his people and he will issue an invitation to his disciples to help him in his ministry to them.
Meanwhile, Mary will be the exemplary disciple of her son and a model for us, for she ponders the words and events in her son’s life and waits patiently for them to be fulfilled, “… his mother kept all these things in her heart.”
There is a feeling in today’s readings that, though we are still in the Christmas season, we are beginning to move on. Jesus reveals an awareness of his destiny and we are getting a hint of his future ministry. But still he will return with his parents, be obedient to them, and “advance in wisdom.” We sense two important and formative institutions in Jesus’ life – his home and his religion. Luke tells us, “Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover.” They are devout Jews and will pass on their piety to their son. Was that a factor in Jesus’ staying behind in the Temple, the devotion first instilled in him by his parents for that holy place?
Today’s story isn’t about the call of the disciples. Not yet. It’s about Jesus’ own sense of call and the tension it is already causing in his natural family. He tells his parents, “I must be in my father’s house.” In his world family loyalty was of the highest importance. Your family gave you your very identity within the community. Today Jesus is naming his fundamental loyalty to his heavenly Father; a fealty that will call him to leave his parents, relatives and community to go forth to preach the gospel and begin to form a new family/community.
When Jesus begins his public ministry he will call disciples to leave all and follow him. Those who were responsive will not only leave their possessions, they will leave their families as well. As Jesus’ followers they will be part of a new family. As our second reading states, “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.” Jesus and his disciples will form a community of brothers and sisters, “children of God.” Jesus will not ask anything later of his chosen disciples that he himself was not willing to do, beginning as a 12 year old, to leave father and mother for the sake of doing God’s “business.”
We are told the teachers listening to Jesus and hearing his questions were, “astounded at his understanding and his answers.” Again we have a hint of what will occur as Luke unfolds his narrative. Many people will be astounded by Jesus’ words and deeds. But being “astounded” is not enough, unless they decide to change their lives and commit themselves to him.
As it is today. People will, in their own way, be “astounded” by Jesus. They will admire his peaceable life, inspiring preachings and great deeds – but from a distance. They will not take the next step required of Jesus’ followers: an act of faith in him and a resulting change in their lives. Being “astounded” over a well known personality might make us an autograph seeker, but we probably won’t pack our bags and follow him or her. And so it is with Jesus: being “astounded” is not enough.
Luke’s narration of Jesus in the Temple might also be setting an example for seekers. Jesus sat with teachers, listened, asked questions and gave answers as well. Who among us doesn’t have doubts and questions about our faith? This shouldn’t be a reason to feel less worthy as Christians; it could be an impetus not to be afraid to ask questions and express our opinions in appropriate settings. Sometimes I meet people who have an approach to faith that seems to come from their childhood religion classes and no further. Discussing doubts and asking questions might just be what they need for their faith to mature as members of Jesus’ new family.
In other areas of our lives we search out information and skills that promote our professional and personal growth. Yet many people don’t do the same in matters of their faith: Sunday Mass, grace at meals and daily prayers seem to be enough. Are we afraid our faith might be threatened by our inquiries? Most parishes offer Bible and adult religious education classes. If we attend them we will probably experience not a weakening, but a growth in our faith. This might be a good Sunday for preachers to name the educational opportunities offered by the parish and the diocese. It could be a time to put a plug in for the parish and local bookstores that sell theological texts and biblical commentaries geared for the adult Christian.
Both the first and gospel readings focus on the Temple and tell of two unique sons and their special births. Samuel and Jesus are destined to fulfill God’s plans. Hannah conceived Samuel in her old age and, after he was weaned, took him to the Temple, as she had vowed, to serve God there. The boy Samuel first hears the call of God in the Temple and he will go on to be a great prophet and preach God’s word.
Both Jesus and Samuel, despite their awareness of God’s call when they were youths, spend incubation time before they enter public ministry: Samuel in the Temple and Jesus with his family (“he went down with them and came to Nazareth….”). The readings suggest two principal places for growth: in family and in religious tradition. Both are places one can learn, “advance in wisdom,” and be formed for future service of God.
This feast day will stir up painful memories for some. Families have not always been idyllic places to live for many people. As a result they have had to spend a lifetime trying to overcome the pain and stultifying effects of their childhood family memories. While most of our families can hardly be called “holy” still, there is much goodness to affirm about them. But for others this celebration of the feast of the “Holy Family” would just seem ironic, as they recall their own pain and struggles. Family for them has been a place of sibling favoritism, neglect, drugs, physical violence or even sexual abuse. Over 80% of prison inmates were abused as children. A third of girls and 20% of boys were sexually abused during their childhood. Most sexual abusers are members of the family or a family acquaintance. This may not be a pleasant-sounding way to end a reflection on this feast, but it may be a cautionary tale for the preacher who is tempted to wax eloquently about family life in general.