This coming Sunday is the Feast of the Holy Family with the gospel taken from Luke 2:41-52. Normally we would have several days of posts to move through the reading in detail. Given these are the days after Christmas I thought it good to post the full commentary for those who want to read in depth, but offer the highlights and key points here in the post. Here are several points of interest:

Luke has bracketed the account of Jesus’ visit to the temple with two summary statements: (a) “The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.” (2:40) and (b) “And Jesus advanced (in) wisdom and age and favor before God and man.” (2:52)  Each verse notes Jesus’ favor before God and both mention the boy’s “wisdom.” Importantly, these two matters serve as focal points in the account, for at issue here is Jesus’ remarkable understanding (2:47) and the implications of his particular relation to God (2:48–49).

It should be noted that the “house” does not appear in the text; the text reads, “Not did you know that in the father my must be I.”  “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (v.49) is particularly difficult in biblical Greek and capable of being read several ways if one only relies on a literal translation. Options available to the translator include, “house,” “affairs,” “business,” or the existential sense of “in the father.” 

Up to this point in Luke’s gospel, there are no recorded words from Jesus. At the Presentation in the Temple as an infant, as Jesus was unable to speak for himself, Simeon and Anna announced his identity and mission. Once again in the Temple, Jesus now proclaims his identity and mission and the priority of God’s claim in his mission.  Not even familial claims take precedent over aligning oneself uncompromisingly on the side of God’s purpose. Jesus’ life has a meaning that transcends the relationships of his human family. 

Image credit: Jesus among the Doctors | Heinrich Hoffman, 1884 | Hamburg Museum | PD-US