THE THIRD SORROW OF MARY: The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple

Each year [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was 12 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 3 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.

—Luke 2:41‒50

Mary, mother and disciple

Anxious and worried, Mary did not stop seeking Jesus. She looked among friends, family and strangers alike. And though she found him, she did not understand his words.

We, too, seek Jesus—and seek to do his work in our world. But often, like Mary, we are anxious and worried about building up God’s kingdom, and we may not understand the challenges that come our way. Let us follow her example, trusting that Christ calls us to where we are most needed, to do the work that only we can do.

Questions to Guide Your Reflection:

1. When have I felt anxious—as Mary did—in my efforts to do God’s work in the world? How did I work through those feelings?
2. Sometimes I am called to plant seeds of peace and justice that others will water and still others will see bloom. How do I respond, even if I am uncertain of my own role?