December 27, 2015
Gospel: Lk 2:41-52
Each year Jesus’
parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover (1), and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days,
as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his
parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed
for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding
him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found
him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and
asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his
understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished,
and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and
I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were
you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But
they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came
to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in
her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor (2) before God and man.
(http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122715.cfm)
The difficult words
(1) Passover was the most important Jewish
holiday, and many people traveled to
Jerusalem for the feast. It commemorates the night that God delivered
his people from slavery in Egypt.
(2) To advance in favor means to become more and more
lovable and pleasing.
This week’s spotlight
Who is Joseph?
Joseph was a carpenter who lived in the village of
Nazareth. He was from the same family as the great King David. He was already
engaged to Mary when God asked him to become Jesus' foster father and to take good care of him. He is
the patron saint of workers and the protector of the Church.
The Holy Spirit in the Mass
The priest, in Christ's place, leads the eucharistic
prayer on behalf of the congregation. If other priests are present, they may
pray parts of the prayer with him or for
him. Twice during this most solemn moment of the Mass, the priest asks the Father
to send the Holy Spirit. This “calling down" of the Holy Spirit is called
the '‘epiclesis.” It happens before the consecration, when the priest extends
his hands over the offerings and asks that, by the power of the Holy Spirit,
the bread and wine may become the
body and blood of Christ. After the consecration, the priest prays that the
Holy Spirit will come down on everyone in church to unite them as God's family.
Reflection
Looking for Jesus
When Jesus came into this world, he didn’t try to
avoid any part of our human experience - except for sin. This means that Jesus
needed to grow up, just as you grow each day. He chose to outgrow his clothes,
to learn his lessons, to do his chores, and to make new friends. Growing up
means facing new responsibilities. You have to “advance in wisdom and age and
favor” just as Jesus did. Sometimes we make mistakes along the way and we get
punished.
Luckily, we are not alone. God gives us our families
to guide, protect, and love us as we grow up. The Gospel reminds us that even
Jesus needed his parents. It also reminds us that things weren’t perfect, even
in the Holy Family. Mary and Joseph lost Jesus in Jerusalem when he was twelve
years old! Your family may not be perfect, and growing up might be scary, but
you are not alone. You can turn to Jesus, who knows what you are going through,
because he went through it himself!
Discussion questions
1. What did Jesus’ family go to Jerusalem every year for?
2. What happened on their returning home this year?
3. Who is Jesus father? What does he do?
4. How long did it take Jesus’ parents to find him?
5. Where was Jesus at that time?
6. What did Jesus explain for staying there?
7. What do we learn from Jesus today?
Praying after Communion
After
receiving Holy Communion,
you can say this prayer silently to yourself. If you
have not yet
received your First Communion, you can still say this prayer because of your desire to
receive Jesus.
Father, through Jesus, in
communion with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. Thank
you for putting Jesus under the loving cane of Mary and Joseph, and for giving
me my family. May this Communion in the body and blood of Jesus strengthen my family, and the Church.
Crossword Puzzle
