How is it that you sought me?

I think it is important to ponder what Scripture has to say to us personally.

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 company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking 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 they 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 looking for you anxiously." And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. (Luke 2:42-50 RSV)

It is obviously a dialogue between a child and his parents but God put that dailogue there so we could learn something and apply it to our own lives. God put that dialogue in the Bible so that we can be made perfect and spend eternity with him in Heaven. And I see that dialogue as Eucharistic.

Then again, I see the whole Bible as Eucharistic.

I sometimes act like Jesus' parents. I sometimes look for God everywhere except where I should really be looking for him. Mary and Joseph looked for Jesus among "their relatives and acquaintances" and I'm like that as well, trying to find God in all the wrong places. I sometimes expect God to just come along with me as I go about my own life, living my own agenda, "in the caravan." Just like Mary and Josheph did, saying, "Why have you done this to us?" with great anxiety, I question God's plan and his providence.

And Jesus' reply to me in this passage is sublime. I like the way the RSV puts it...

And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49)

Rather than expecting God to follow my agenda, I should be asking myself how is it that I have sought him, and if I should not have been following his agenda. I should be asking meyself if I have not really been looking for God in all the wrong places. I look for God everywhere except where I should be looking for him, in his Father's house. I should be looking to the Church, to the sacraments, to worship in the Mass, and to other' members of Christ's Body in parish life. I should be listening to the people to whom God gave responsiblity for my spiritual health, especially the priests at my parish.

And I really mean it when I say that his message (to me at least) is Eucharistic. How is it that I have sought him? The fullest manifestion of Jesus' presence is found sacramentally in the hands of his priests and in the tabernacles of his Father's house.

Anyway, that's what I take out of it.

And now some Catholic who likes labels will say that I'm not allowed to have a personal intepretation of scripture or that the Eucharist is worthless because it wasn't placed on my tounge at the communion rail by someone who recieved holy orders. Or some Evangelical will tell me that Jesus was only speaking spiritually because his "Words are spirit and life". Or some sola scriptura Baptist will come here and offer to "Help" me with that passage. Or some Jehovah's Witness will come here and tell me how happy he would be to "Share" what he has found in some book which at one time used to be a Bible.

And to all that I'll shrug my shoulders and reply, "Eh, whatever." It really doesn't matter to me what anyone thinks. That's what I take out of it.

-Tim-