The Sorrow of Jesus’ Loss in the Temple and the Joy of His Finding
Seventh Sunday of Saint Joseph
The pain of losing Jesus for three days in Jerusalem is contemplated, as they searched for him anxiously among relatives (Lk 2:44-45).
Joy erupts when he finds him in the Temple among the doctors, listening and asking questions (Lk 2:46).
Tradition interprets this episode as the holy anxiety of Saint Joseph as a father, and teaches us to seek Jesus with ardent desire when we have lost him through sin, and to savor from now on the immense joy of his presence in Heaven.
Prayer
O most exemplary Guardian of Jesus, glorious Saint Joseph! You suffered greatly, losing the Holy Child Jesus through no fault of your own; but your joy was great when you found him after three days of mortal anguish in the midst of the doctors of the temple.
For this sorrow and this joy, we beseech you to obtain for us the grace never to lose Jesus through grave sin; but if unfortunately we should lose him, may we seek him with such sorrow that we may find him kind, especially at our death, so that we may go to enjoy him in Heaven and there sing with you of his divine mercies.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
- First Sunday: The pain of St. Joseph’s doubts and the joy of the Angel’s message
- Second Sunday: The pain of poverty at the birth of Jesus and the joy of the birth of the Savior
- Third Sunday: The pain of circumcision and the joy of the name of Jesus
- Fourth Sunday: The pain of Simeon’s prophecy and the joy of the effects of redemption
- Fifth Sunday: The pain of the flight to Egypt and the joy of the overthrow of the idols
- Sixth Sunday: The pain of returning from Egypt and the joy of life in Nazareth
- Seventh Sunday: The pain of Jesus’ loss in the temple and the joy of his finding
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