The Finding of Christ in the Temple
Meeting Christ Anew
A month ago, I was praying and listening to the Rosary podcast as I normally do on my way to work. The Joyful Mysteries were the meditation of the day, and the question posed was, “What do all the joyful mysteries have in common? What makes them all joyful?” Good questions. As we moved through the mysteries, we of course arrived at the 5th Joyful Mystery, the Finding of Jesus in the temple. This particular story has always intrigued me—what could have gone through Mary and Joseph’s minds? We had lost the Son of God.
I remember when my baby sister went missing on a busy shopping boulevard. Just like Mary & Joseph, we thought she was right beside us as we meandered through the streets and a quick look, she was not with us! Mom, where is Jen? What do you mean?! We went back retracing our steps and all sorts of things, not good things came to mind. The objective was clear: find her! And there she was looking at the toys one vendor was selling. Just like Mary and Joseph we had a quick sense of why? But a great relief.
“That’s what Mary and Joseph felt during the three days when Christ was missing in the temple. Yet they found Him again, because they did not stop seeking Him,” said Dr. Scherschligt. Upon this statement I called to mind His words: “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
“There are times for all of us when we feel lost, dry, and empty, and we feel that Jesus is far away from us, and we’re not sure if we’ll ever see Him again. “Said Dr. Scherschligt.
So true! We may feel as if He has left our side during certain seasons, but the reality is that He remains where He has always been, in His Father’s house, and He is always with us. Isn’t that our story as well? Even the most faithful among us walk through times when God feels distant: prayer seems hollow, Scripture appears quiet, and the heart aches for a nearness that feels absent. In those moments it’s easy to accept the lie that Jesus has stepped away. We think we must go searching for Him, returning to the place where we last felt close. Yet the more comforting truth is that He has not moved. He remains steadfast, faithful, and present in His Father’s house. The distance we perceive is not because He has left, but because we have wandered, grown distracted, or lost awareness of His nearness.
The invitation isn’t that He must come back to us, but that we return to where we last experienced Him clearly.
We “go back” through:
prayer that is honest rather than polished
Scripture that we linger in rather than rush through
worship that centers our hearts again
repentance that removes what has clouded our vision
And as we search for Him, not frantically, (as my family did) but faithfully, we begin to notice something beautiful:
He may not be in the noise. He may not be in the distractions we’ve surrounded ourselves with. He may not be at the “vendors,” the temporary attractions that pull our attention and promise satisfaction. But He is present, quietly, steadily waiting to be found by those who seek Him with their whole heart.
Often, when we finally “find” Him again, we come to a humbling realization: a prayer I am constantly searching for, longing to speak, and grateful to receive.
He was never lost; we are just looking in the wrong places.
So, I will close with this, In the call-in seasons of dryness is not despair, but return. Return to stillness. Return to truth. Return to the Father’s house. Because Jesus is still there and He is still with you.
Amen? AMEN!
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your spiritual journey! Keep at it! Keep praying. Love the Lord.
Peace and Grace.Fran Acosta,OFS
