Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of Saint Joseph: SEVENTH SORROW AND JOY

The Finding in the temple

Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as usual. When the festival was over, they started back home, but the boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this; they thought that he was with the group. They did not find him; so they went back to Jerusalem looking for him. On the third day they found him in the Temple, sitting with the Jewish teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his intelligent answers. His parents were astonished when they saw him, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried trying to find you.” He answered them, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand his answer. So Jesus went back with them to Nazareth, where he was obedient to them. Jesus grew both in body and wisdom, gaining favor with God and people.

Silent Reflection

Prayer

Dear St Joseph, the loss of a son for three days was truly worrisome. Upon finding him in the midst of teachers you could hardly understand his reason for leaving you and Mary in order to be up and about in the Father’s business. However, this did not prevent you from supporting and preparing him further to fulfil the Father’s will at the appropriate time.

We are sometimes at odds with how young people behave. We have shaped them into what we believe would make them better people. Yet we have failed to recognize that they too have the ability to shape their own future. Guide us as you have guided Jesus. May we support our young people, nurturing them properly so that they can know clearly the value of life and discover how they can better involve themselves in the Father’s business – in school, in the Church, in the community, in the world.

We remember in our prayers the youth of the world, especially those who are suffering due to exploitation, forced labour, vice, drugs, and prostitution, that they may find in you a friend and supporter, inspiring them to overcome their predicaments and transform themselves as the bright future of the world. We pray too for all parents and all adults involved in youth care, that like you they may wholeheartedly provide inspiration and guidance to those entrusted to them. Lastly, we also remember our particular intentions…Amen.

1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, and 1 Glory Be