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Master·evangeli.net

Today's Gospel + short theological explanation

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (C)
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Gospel text (Lk 2:41-52): (…) When he was twelve 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 (…). After three days they found him in the temple (…). 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.

He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

Jesus Christ, true God and true man

EDITORIAL TEAM evangeli.net (based on texts by Benedict XVI) (Città del Vaticano, Vatican)

Today it is important what Luke is saying about how Jesus grew not only in age but also in wisdom. It was clear, as a twelve year old boy, that with his answer He knew the Father – God – from within: as Son, He lives in a “one on one” with the Father. He’s in his presence. He sees Him. John says that He is the only begotten, “who is the same as God and is at the Father’s side”, and that is why he can reveal all about Him.

But on the other hand, it is also true that his wisdom grows. As man He does not live in an abstract omniscience but rooted in a particular history, in a place and at a time at different stages of human life. This shows very clearly that he has thought and learned in a human way.

-Despite the mystery, in this narrative it is specifically expressed that Jesus Christ is true man and true God as formulated in the faith of the Church.