Many years ago we were exploring a walking track in the foothills of the Southern Alps. It slowly wove its way through some pretty forest and ferns along the banks of a fast-flowing river. Then forked towards the mountain above, or to the waterfall ahead. Suddenly, as we rounded a bend, our four-year-old son, who had been happily trotting ahead, wasn't there! We called out and searched in vain. Finally, with heavy hearts, we headed back to the car to seek help. When we reach the car, there was our son waiting for us. He had taken a short loop track that came out behind us, not seeing us he thought he would go back to the car and wait for us.
My story is one that has two different perspectives as to who was lost. In fact, no one was. We see a similar event in the Gospel story above. How we read it will affect the way we understand it. Some, for example, may take it as a historical occurrence. Others may see it as a parable – as we have other Gospel stories of people or things that were lost and found again (See Luke 14:34-15:32).
This particular story is set in the context of a journey. The parents discover Jesus is not with them. They search for him, turning to fellow travellers and companions for help and after three days of searching they find him in the Temple teaching. Those who listened to him were amazed.
We are all on a journey through life. I wonder what we have lost along the way? The name Jesus is associated with the word 'Christ' meaning the anointed one. Have we ever felt a loss of faith or our sense of the 'anointing' of the Divine presence? Who do we turn to for our inspiration and support? Whose wisdom do we value?
Mary and Joseph searched for 3 days. The number three occurs in many places in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures usually providing emphasis or a clue that more is happening than meets the eye.
They found Jesus in the Temple. St Paul suggested we are the Temple of God's presence (1 Corinthians 6:19). Do you, do I, always have eyes to see God's presence in and around us?
Once upon a time, three people sat by the seashore and watched the sunset. The first person was soon captivated by the colours the sunlight painted upon the clouds and sea and the way the sea-birds floated silently across the evening sky. He was also intrigued by how the sun grew in size as it slowly slid over the horizon. When he felt the chill of early evening, he was glad to stand up, stretch his legs, and go home.
The second person was also captivated by the sunset. He wondered why people say 'the sun sets' rather than' the earth turns'. He was also intrigued by the way the sun seemed to grow in size – even though he knew it was an illusion. Cupping his hand into a fist, he looked through the small hole he had made and watched the sun immediately shrink back in size. This so fascinated him, he remained sitting at the beach long after the sun had set, pondering why this was so.
The third person was likewise captivated by the sunset, but for quite a different reason. He briefly enjoyed everything the other two had noticed before being absorbed by the beauty, mystery and spaciousness of the sea, sky and sun. Long after the other two had left, he remained lost in awe and wonder at the beauty of God's creation.
Sometimes what we are looking for is not lost – it is there in front of us all the time.
Kia mau te
rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga
May you find peace and
goodwill on your journey.
Phil.
No comments:
Post a Comment