The seventh sorrow of Saint Joseph is the finding of Jesus in the temple. And when he and the Virgin Mary found the child Jesus, Mary said to the child Jesus, “Why did you do this to us?” Jesus answered, “Why are you looking for me?”
Why are you looking for Jesus? Why do you want to see Jesus? We have different reasons. For some, they are looking for Him because they are afraid to go to hell. Others are looking for Him because they fear punishment. Others are in fear of malas (bad luck). Why are we searching for Jesus? Is it because of fear? Why are you looking for Jesus? You want a favor? You need something from Him. You have something to ask of Him that is why you are looking for him? But Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary went looking for Jesus not in fear or worry. Not because they wanted a favor. They were searching for Jesus because they love the Lord.
It was not fear. It was not seeking favor. It was fervor. It was the fervor of love that brought them to search for the Lord. Our life is in search of the Lord. But why are we searching for him? So we can be loved. Why are we searching for Him? Because you are afraid? Why are we searching for Him? Because we have a favor to ask of Him? Let us look for the Lord, let us search for the Lord with love.
The second question is – Did you not know I must be in my father’s house? Didn’t you know that it was not necessary to look for me because I will always be here in the house of my father. What is the house of my father? The house of my father is not a place. The house of my father is not a building. The house of my father is where God’s laws are obeyed. In other words, where God is obeyed, God is there. Where the will of God is obeyed, God is there. Where the plan of God is obeyed, God lives there. So, in what places do we look for God? We search for Him in comfort. We search for Him in being famous. We search for Him in being full. We search for Him in receiving VIP treatment. My dear friends, if you are looking for the Lord, you can only find Him in an obedient heart. If your heart does not know how to be obey, you will be unable to find Him anywhere.
Afterwards, the chapter came to an end with – They did not understand. They did not understand. How can we understand? The Lord is a mystery for all of us. They did not understand what he meant. But they treasured everything in their hearts. In the heart of Joseph, in the heart of Mary. Perhaps also in the hearts of the elders who were listening to Him in the temple. They did not understand. They were amazed. That sense of mystery is something we need in our lives. We do not need to understand everything. Not everything needs an answer. Not everything needs an explanation because a big part of our lives is a mystery, a wonder. And we must be able to live with wonder, with mystery, comfortably so that we can discover the joy of living in this world and the promise of life everlasting.
Why are you searching for Him? Where are you searching for Him? How are you searching for Him? You will only find Him by accepting that He is a mystery. And my path leading to Him is through trust and faith.
Saint Joseph, please help us find Jesus and to never ever part from Him. Amen.
