the finding of the child jesus in the temple

Where is Jesus? The Child, my Lady! Where is he?

Mary is crying. In vain you and I have run from group to group, from caravan to caravan: no one has seen him. Joseph, after fruitless attempts to keep from crying, cries too . . .. And you . . .. And I.

Being a rough little fellow, I cry my eyes out and wail to heaven and earth, . . . to make up for the times when I lost him through my own fault and did not cry.

Jesus: may I never lose you again . . . Then you and I are united in misfortune and grief, as we were united in sin. And from the depths of our being, come sighs of heartfelt sorrow and burning phrases which the pen cannot and should not record.

And, as we are consoled by the joy of finding Jesus—three days he was gone!—debating with the teachers of Israel (Luke 2:46), you and I will be left deeply impressed by the duty to leave our home and family to serve our heavenly Father.