Greetings Prayer Warriors,
Everyone who has kids can remember a time when they temporarily lost one of them. It’s a horrific feeling followed by the unparalleled joy and relief of a reunion. Thus, when I read in the Gospel of Luke the story of Mary and Joseph unwittingly leaving Jesus behind in Jerusalem, I felt a real kinship with them as parents!
Next, I contemplated Jesus’s response to being found. He didn’t understand why they didn’t grasp what he was doing. Sounds like a typical reaction of a child to their parent! But then,
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 2:51-52
Although Jesus felt he should be elsewhere (in His Father’s House), he obeyed his parents and went home with them. Jesus shows us the importance of honoring one’s parents. Note the fruit of obedience is an increase in wisdom and favor before God and man! Contemplate how “rightly ordered” obedience leads to wisdom. Consider Jesus’ humility as well. What does a family and even a society look like that honors God and family?
Sweet Jesus, from a young age, you showed us how we are to live in this world: with humility, respect for family, obedience to one’s parents, and evangelization to those who may need to be challenged. With great self-awareness, empower us and our families with a tsunami of grace! Help us to not only grow in the virtues, but to guide others in obtaining them as well. Help us to discover the Heavenly Father’s will for our lives that we too may step out boldly in the direction he calls us. Help us to lead this society back toward your Father’s House. Hear our prayers, for family, friends, and all of your Father’s children. Jesus, we trust in You, but help us trust in you more! Amen.
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Make the first bold step. Pass it on!
