The Catholic Defender: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple 5th Joyful Mystery of the Rosary

"Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and 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. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. 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." Luke 2:41-52

Something I find interesting reading this text of scripture! Context is very important, considering that there are those who believe Jesus had brothers indicating Mary had other children, not in this text.

What they fail to understand is that brothers and sisters in Jesus time were also cousins, close relatives. There is much more evidence that support the Catholic Tradition, but just looking at this text, Joseph and Mary obviously thought Jesus was among the relatives.

Exodus 12:17 states, "Keep, then, the custom of the unleavened bread, since it was on this very day that I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. You must observe this day throughout your generations as a statute forever." The Feast of Passover, also called Pesach takes place on the 15th day of Nisan, the first month of Aviv. That would be springtime.

It was here in Jerusalem that the paschal lamb was offered as a sacrifice. This was called the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Interestingly, we can see God's blue print for the coming Mass and the Eucharist.

Leviticus 23:5 states, "In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight is the Lord’s Passover." It's interesting that 14th evening of Nisan is recognized as part of the 15th of Nisan. That is how they count it.

Another important text here speaks volumes what Jesus knew at a young age. He knew who His Father was, St. Joseph was Jesus foster father, but Jesus had a keen understanding who He is. I find it amazing how a twelve year old could astound the teachers in the temple as He had done.

Jesus was raised in the traditions of the Jews and this included fulfilling what the Law of Moses required. Recognizing who Jesus Father is I believe speaks a lot on Jesus infusion of Knowledge, that is one thing, but I also believe Jesus was about doing His Father's work.

Think of the love that Jesus has for both Mary and Joseph that He would go back with His parents and live under Mary's roof until the launching of His public Ministry. Jesus honored the fourth Commandment better than anyone in history.