This Sunday’s readings can be found here. It is important to note that some traditions diverge from the Revised Common Lectionary during Christmastide so you may find that other lectionary websites list different readings.
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Our passages today are all about being surprised. The priests are not acting very priestly, and the young boy in the homemade ephod is the one flourishing in his relationship with God and with others. Christian virtue often appears as weakness, but it carries a hidden strength. Mary and Joseph think that they have lost Jesus, but their attention is turned to something about him which is altogether unexpected.
In our Old Testament reading (1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26), we see a disruption of the priestly system. Eli’s sons have been unfaithful and Samuel, the one for whom Hannah prayed and has been given as a gift from God, is being prepared to lead.
This is surprising, the boy in the “little robes” made for him each year by his mother will take Israel into an era of kings. Yet we remember that Samuel, by his very existence, embodies the good news that God hears the prayers of his people. And we know that Samuel himself hears from God. It is this which re-centers Israel story. In a temple full of me-first priests, there is a humble family, and a young man who trusts in God.
In our New Testament reading (Colossians 3:12-17), Paul tells the church about the clothes they are called to wear, the virtues they are called to “put on.” Christian virtue is not about merely doing good things, but about being surrounded and clothed by something altogether different from the ways of the world. This looks like compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. It looks like bearing with one another, forgiving each other just as the Lord has forgiven you. And most importantly, it is about being clothed with love.
When Christ rules in our hearts, we will be changed. We nurture this transformation through teaching, gratitude, and singing. Above all, Paul calls us to remember where this all comes from: the person of Jesus Christ.
Our gospel text (Luke 2:41-52) reminds us that the way of discipleship is the way constant surprise. In the midst of their fear, their loss, their guilt for losing track of their son, Jesus tells his parents simply to trust, to know that he has a different vocation from what we will be able to figure out in the moment. He is, himself, the new temple, the place where heaven and earth meet.
This is not the last time that Mary will be confused by Jesus’ actions. Yet, she continues to follow him, continues to ponder, continue down the road which leads to the cross.
May we grow, trust and listen: putting to death destructive patterns, clothing ourselves in virtue. And may we treasure in our hearts all that God does in our midst, both that which we understand and especially that which we do not understand.