Luke 2:41-51Luke 2:41-51
O Mother, dry those bitter tears!
O Mother, grieve no more!
Thy child, thy Jesus, is not lost;
That weary search is o'er.
He stood amidst the wondering scribes
His Father's work to do,
But now returns to dwell for years
With Joseph and with you.
- G. F.
And His parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the Pasch. And when He was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, and having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the Child Jesus remained in Jerusalem: and His parents knew it not. And thinking that He was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought Him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard Him were astonished at His wisdom and His answers. And seeing Him, they wondered. And His Mother said to Him: Son, why hast Thou done so to us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing. And He said to them: How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business? And they understood not the word that He spoke unto them. And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and was subject to them.
With His Mother, who partakes thy woe,
Joseph, turn back: see, where your Child doth sit
Blowing, yea, blowing out those sparks of wit,
Which Himself on those doctors did bestow,
The Word but lately could not speak: and lo,
It suddenly speaks wonders. Whence comes it,
That All which was, and All which would be, writ
A shallow-seeming Child should deeply know?
His Godhead was not soul to His Manhood;
Nor had time mellowed Him to this ripeness;
But as for one which hath long tasks, tis good
With the sun to begin his business,
He, in His age's morning, thus began
By miracles exceeding power of man.
- John Donne
Above the doorway of an old church in Barcelona is an image of the Immaculate Conception with the face of Our Lady slightly turned, the eyes expressing the most tender pity, the features moulded in a sweet, sad smile. Centuries ago a poor weaver and his mother were working together one night, when the screams of a miserly neighbor attracted their attention, and Severo, against the will of his aged mother, ran over to offer help. He soon returned pale and scared, the miser had been murdered, the officers were upon him - had found his scissors which he had dropped on the way - trial and conviction followed, prayers and entreaties and protests of innocence were of no avail; how the poor mother prayed in Santa Maria del Mar! - Alianor the mother of a good son. The day of execution came, Severo was led away by the soldiers. As he passed the Church of Saint Mary he begged to pray there - what an appeal to her protection? How trustingly he told her of his innocence! With what astonishment the crowd of people beheld the image of the Blessed Virgin, which had its head raised heavenward, turn toward the condemned man with a look of compassion, and so remains to this day. Severo was declared innocent and continued a pious son of Mary to the end of a long life in God's service.
- text taken from Heaven's Bright Queen, by William James Walsh