If you’re a parent and you have a child who did something you didn’t expect, you can probably relate with Mama Mary’s words in today’s reading. “Why have you done this to us?” It was hard for Mama Mary and Saint Joseph to fully understand Jesus’ words and actions then. Yet we believe that Jesus had a deeper purpose behind everything.

Catholic author Cy Kellett wrote in his book, A Teacher of Strange Things, “(Jesus) allowed things to develop for His parents’ benefit. He allowed a drama to unfold that, even if they did not understand it at the time, changed all of their roles. He moved from the role of protected Child into the role of Teacher and Savior. They moved from the role of protectors into the role of followers who must trust His choices.”

Just like Mama Mary and Saint Joseph, we need to follow Jesus’ lead and trust that what He wants is better than what we want—even if we don’t understand. 

Tina Santiago Rodriguez (trulyrichandblessed@gmail.com) 

reflect

“God did not tell us to follow Him because He needed our help, but because He knew that loving Him would make us whole.” (Saint Irenaeus)

Jesus, help me to follow and trust You, even when I may not always understand what You want for me. Mama Mary and Saint Joseph, pray for me.

Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us.

First Reading | 1 Kings 19:19-21 (or Isaiah 61:9-11)

As we reflect on today’s narrative from the life of Elisha, we see Elijah choosing him to follow his footsteps. Elisha asks for a concession—he first wishes to see his parents and bid them farewell. Yet, he knows there is no turning back once he follows Elijah’s path. This moment highlights the depth of commitment required to answer the Lord’s call. The saints exemplify this same willingness to sacrifice everything in response to God’s invitation. Such devotion is not easy; it demands a profound surrender to God’s will above all other commitments.

¹⁹ Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him. ²⁰ Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, andsaid, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and I will follow you.” Elijah answered, “Go back! Have I done anything to you?” ²¹ Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10 (or 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8)

R: You are my inheritance, O Lord.

¹ Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; ² I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” ⁵ O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. (R) ⁷ I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. ⁸ I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) ⁹ Therefore, my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; ¹⁰ because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. (R) 

Gospel | Luke 2:41-51

When we gaze upon an image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we witness both the redemptive nature of a purely human being and her profound motherly love. This is why Mary is called the first disciple—she was the first to be transformed by the love of her Son. She was the first to embody that love in her identity as both a woman and a disciple. Let us remember Mary’s obedience to God’s call and her openness to His grace in her life.

Gospel Acclamation

Blessed is the Virgin Mary who kept the word of God and pondered it in her heart.

⁴¹ Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, ⁴² and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. ⁴³ After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.   ⁴⁴ Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, ⁴⁵ but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. ⁴⁶ After three days, they found him in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, ⁴⁷ and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ 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.” ⁴⁹ And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ But they did not understand what he said to them. ⁵¹ He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

Reflect

“If you ever feel distressed during your day, call upon our Lady, just say this simple prayer: ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.’ I must admit, this prayer has never failed me.” (St. Mother Teresa)

Read the Bible in one year! Read 2 KING  1 - 3 today.

Before God and Man

My take on the story of the loss and finding of the boy Jesus in the temple is more than a potentially tragic story that ended well. 

Firstly, it is a story of loyalty and fidelity to tradition. “Each year, his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.” Secondly, it is a narrative proof of family unity. Both father and mother were there with the young boy. Thirdly, it is a presentation of Jesus coming of age, beginning to differentiate Himself, and gradually defining Himself apart from what society had made Him to be. He sat with teachers and discussed with them intelligently. Fourth, it illustrates the fact that His parents gave Him some slack and allowed Him free space to explore on His own. Fifth, it portrays the parents’ solicitous care and love when they realized He was not with them on the way home. Sixth, it admits the presence of some disappointment born of anxiety on the part of Mary and Joseph: “Son, why have you done this to us?” Seventh, it also shows how the boy Jesus stood His ground as He firmly but gently proclaimed: “Don’t you know that I must be in My Father’s house?”

But there is more. Despite the parents’ inability to understand it all, they held their peace. “Mary kept all these things in her heart.” There was no emotional cut-off or further recriminations, only humble acceptance. But the best part is this—Jesus’ response was submission and humble obedience. “He was obedient to them.”

The boy Jesus, we are told, “advanced in age and wisdom before God and man.” We do grow a lot before man. This is what we mean by success. But what I learn today counts as most important—the need to grow before God. 

Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

reflection question

How have you grown before God?   

Make me grow before You, O Lord. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________________________