Just a thought

Thomas · 06-15-2006, 12:34 AM

and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart."
Luke 2:48-51

This is often presented as Mary's failure to perceive the reality of her son, but perhaps there is another reading, of a mother, looking on her 12 year old son and praying, as any mother might, "So soon! If thy will, Lord, let me have him one more day, just one more day..."

Thomas

lunamoth · 06-15-2006, 03:36 AM

A prayer made by many mothers, and fathers.

luna

Dondi · 06-15-2006, 01:39 PM

At what age did a male have to be considered a man in the 1st century Jewish culture? I know that bar-mitzvahs in todays Jewish culture inaugarates a boy to manhood at age 12, if i'm not mistaken. If that was the case then, would Jesus have had the autonomy to do as He pleased, that is no longer would His parents be accountable or obligated for His care, such as when one turns 18?

I can feel the anxiety in Mary's mind as she sought frantically for Jesus, but not telling her where He was is no indication that He was dishonoring His parents, would it? He was just exercising the rights afforded him as one who came of age. Would you agree?

Jeannot · 06-15-2006, 02:46 PM

What's interesting is how they lost him in the first place. I can relate, since I've been on multi-car convoys, where the kids were changing cars at every stop.

wil · 06-15-2006, 03:19 PM

Can you imagine... walking back home assuming he was with another family...and then waiting around...eventually seeing the other family..and "no he's not with us, I thought he was with you" And then heading back to search, luckily hearing he was at the temple and then finding him there..Mom and Dad fretting, tired, worried, mad, relieved....and then to get that response?

I would have flipped over backward with the force of the back hand cuff to my head! (I did once...just about that age)