We are all familiar with the story of the finding of Jesus in the Temple. It is one of the phases in the life of our Lord, which is included in the Joyful Mysteries. This very story was the Gospel reading during the Feast of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
In the story, Joseph, Mary and the child Jesus (aged 12, then) went to the Temple in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When they headed home to Nazareth, Joseph went with one group of travelers, while Mary went with another group. They both were at peace, knowing that Jesus was with the other. It was only after a few days’ when they realized that Jesus was not with them. It was panic time! Again, a few more days’ journey back to Jerusalem with Mary and Joseph very anxious to find Jesus. They finally found Him with the temple priests and doctors of the law talking about the law and the Scriptures.
The story has a happy ending that it enters and leaves our mind without much thought.
Fr. Joseph Gil Alonzo, who celebrated the 12:00 noon Mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (June 16) at Greenbelt Chapel, saw in the story the proof of the heart of Mary being immaculate. Or in the vernacular kalinis-linisan. Just listen to the converstion between Jesus and Mary when the latter and Joseph finally found the child:
Mary asked Him, “Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.”
The child Jesus replied, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know, that I must be about my father’s business?” (Luke 2:48 – 49)
Imagine Jesus telling Mary that! It was as if He were saying, “This is none of your business.” Or, in the vernacular (which sounds more blunt): “Anong pakialam mo?”
And to Fr. Joseph, therein was the very illustration of Mary’s immaculate heart. Two virtues make it so.
First was Mary’s complete faith and trust in God. She believed and trusted completely in God and that all those were part of God’s design. She did not question God in the same way that many of us question Him when we are faced with trials and adversities.
Second was Mary’s humility. Although she is the mother of Jesus, she also knew that the child Jesus is her Lord and God.
Hence, while many of us find the answer of Jesus startling, Mary, with her absolute faith and humility, accepted His answer.
May Mary’s virtues of faith and humility inspire us to be true followers of the Lord and fire us to have a heart as immaculate as hers.
- by Mario Ampil