How does the Feast of the Holy Family, with Jesus asking, “Why were you #looking for me❓” in today’s Gospel, challenge me to adopt a far-sighted vision like that encouraged in On Care for Our Common Home—one that values the preservation of relationships, ecosystems, and God’s creation over quick and easy gains—as I reflect on what CAPN: The WTC: The Podcast, Episode 000 is “looking” at in the life of one of our diocese’s seminarians and ponder the beauty of going “into the sunset” with purpose and hope❓
Reading I
When I think about the Holy Family and the example they set for all of us, I am reminded of the Scripture: “God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.” This order reflects the care and reverence God desires in family relationships. Yet, I also see Hannah’s profound trust in God when she said, “Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD.” In my own life, I wonder if I am truly looking for ways to honor God within my family relationships, recognizing that each connection is a gift entrusted to me by Him.
Responsorial Psalm
The psalmist proclaims, “Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.” This blessing is echoed in the beautiful refrain, “Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.” As I reflect on my daily choices, I ask myself whether I am looking for ways to walk in the Lord’s ways—both in my care for those closest to me and in how I interact with the world at large. Am I living in a manner that shows gratitude for the blessings of creation, community, and home❓
Reading II
St. Paul calls us to embody compassion by “bearing with one another and forgiving one another.” This mirrors our hope in the mystery of God’s unfolding plan: “what we shall be has not yet been revealed.” I often catch myself looking for immediate answers or resolutions in relationships, forgetting that God’s timing is not my own. Can I instead approach challenges with patience, trusting that God is revealing His purpose in due time❓
Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia. The peace of Christ, as Paul says, should control my heart: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” This invitation requires that I open my heart to listen actively, as today’s Gospel acclaims: “Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.” Am I looking for ways to invite this peace into my life, allowing Christ’s word to shape my actions, choices, and relationships❓ Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast
of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you done this to us❓
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them,
“Why were you looking for me❓
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house❓”
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor
before God and man.
As I reflect on the example of the Holy Family and consider what CAPN: The WTC: The Podcast is “looking” at in the life of a seminarian, I am challenged to reassess my priorities.
“…it’s very much like just looking at a…” 7:18
“…so rich but um it’s really like looking…”
8:32
“…you by looking for the link on the…” 22:04
“…but yeah also also looking at at some…”
Am I seeking Christ with the same longing as His Holy Family who searched for Him in the temple, only to hear His question:
Caring for ecosystems demands far-sightedness, since no one looking for quick and easy profit is truly interested in their preservation.
From paragraph of ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME