The fifth joyful mystery: the finding of the child Jesus

The parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.

And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and man.

(Luke 2:41-52)

The gospels are clear that children and young people have something important to teach us. Jesus welcomes and blesses children, identifies them as the ones to whom the kingdom of heaven belongs and instructs adults to become more like them.

In this story, the only account of Christ as a child, we witness Jesus’ developing sense of identity and mission, as he spends time in his Father’s house. A striking reminder of the importance of listening to young people’s voice and experience.

One such young voice is that of Ashley, who works for the Jesuit Hakimani Centre, one of CAFOD’s partners based in Kenya. The centre supports local communities in speaking up for their rights, as well as providing training in a variety of issues such as climate justice and sustainable farming.

Ashley offers these powerful words on the centrality of faith in her life:

“Faith to me is the foundation of my life. It is both my anchor and my guide and basically shapes every aspect of how I live… My faith motivates me to continually grow in wisdom and character, because each day it provides an opportunity for me to learn and deepen my relationship with God.”

In this Jubilee Year, let’s pay attention to younger people, remembering that they have something valuable to teach us. May praying this mystery, help us to grow in wisdom and understanding of God’s call in our lives.

Pray the Our Father.

Pray a Hail Mary on each of the ten beads of the decade.

Pray the Glory Be.

You may also want to add the Fatima invocation