WHERE’S JESUS

At our men’s shelter meeting last night I read from Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 2: vs 41-52. It’s the reading of Jesus staying behind in the temple in Jerusalem, while Mary and Joseph started back with others to Nazareth. They thought Jesus was with them in the caravan until they couldn’t find him. They backtracked and found Jesus amongst the elders and teachers in the temple.  The elders were amazed at this young Boy’s questions and answers. Mary and Joseph were astonished at this sight. His mother said to Him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for You anxiously.”

It is the only time we hear Mary speak of being anxious or having anxiety. Mary knew Jesus His entire earthly life, from the Immaculate Conception to His Ascension into Heaven. She was with Him every step through childhood, the start of His ministry, His first miracle in Cana, all through His entire Passion, to when He laid lifeless in her arms after His crucifixion. During the rest of Jesus’s life, she never mentioned again she was anxious. Without a doubt, Mother Mary was saddened, deeply hurt watching her Son go through what He did. She felt pain and sorrow. She knew it had to happen, being forewarned. She accepted her role without hesitation or question. The only time she mentioned being anxious though, was when she lost Him.

Anxiety is very prevalent in our society today. Our message to the men last night was, “Do you know where Jesus is in your life”? When was the last time you spoke to Him? When was the last time you listened to Him? When was the last time you went to a quiet place to hear His voice? Our world is LOUD. So many of us are walking around with earbuds stuffed into ears we can’t hear the birds chirp or a passerby greet us “hello”. I am sure what we prescribe in anxiety medicine is done with good intent and reason, but nothing can replace a relationship with our Lord. A sane person can see the more we exclude Jesus, prayer and Sunday church from our lives, the more we struggle with anxiety. We can’t continue to bring children into this world and not introduce them to our Lord and the sacraments He gave us. The One who created us is the One who can give us peace. Help your family and loved ones find Jesus.

Please pray for our residents and all who are struggling with anxiety.

As I have seen on many bumper stickers…

NO JESUS NO PEACE, KNOW JESUS KNOW PEACE!

Pax Christi,

Jim