Category: lectio divina

And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” – Lk 2:49

Joseph, did those words hurt? Did they pierce your heart? Three days “looking with great anxiety” and twelve years raising a child not your own flashed by in that moment. Bittersweet words – raw emotions flowed… You obeyed the angel that appeared in your dreams. You protected him and his mother. You fled your home in exile. You watched him take his first step. You listened to him speak his first words. You learned anew the wonders of life through his eyes. Above all you loved him as your own… Now all of that is gone; washed away in a torrent of emotion. Fear and anguish changed to relief in finding him safe again. Anger welled up for the pain he caused his mother then subsided giving way to pride in finding him with the teachers. While other of his age were playing idly, he was in the temple in “his Father’s house.” Pride turned into dejection in hearing those words. You knew the day would come, but so soon? This child you raised as your own is now surrendered to the Father. That awful premonition returned. How much longer can you protect him? Yet you resolved to lay down your life for him. No harm will come to him while you yet breath, but as always you will obey the will of God.

Joseph, pray for us fathers as we raise the children of God given into our care. Teach us to be good stewards in guarding them from the evils of the world. Show us how to love them so that they grow to know that they are children of God. Teach us how to let go when they grow up to do the will of the Father.