Monday, February 15, 2016

Today’s Reading  |  Luke 2:41–52
Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching 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. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. (NRSV)

Reflection
I can’t imagine the level of panic that Mary and Joseph felt on the realization that Jesus was missing and was at least a day’s journey away from their current location. They searched for him through three tortuous days, filled with anxiety and worry that few have to go through, and when they finally found relief in locating their son, their response is exactly what you would expect: “How could you do this to us? Do you not know our pain and suffering?” And in response, Jesus questioned them. Why had they been searching and worrying? Didn’t they know that he was in the Father’s care?

While I’ve never had to search for a lost child, I have on many occasions found myself in stretches of fear, panic, and anxiety over my lack of control over my surroundings. But time and again, Jesus tells us not to worry. I find this to be one of the most difficult aspects of being a disciple of Christ. We’re not called to play Pollyanna and simply ignore the problems of the world or pretend they don’t exist. But we also cannot be consumed by worry or be overwhelmed when we are not in control.

Embracing the peace that Christ brings is difficult, but it allows us to face with confidence whatever is before us, firm in the knowledge that we are in the Father’s care no matter the situation in which we find ourselves.

Prayer
Son of God, help me remember your words and promises. Help me to dive into your grace and peace and remember that it is you that reign over the world and all the situations I may encounter. Amen.

Written by Jared Light, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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