Jesus sat quietly and thought...
Illustration
Jesus sat quietly and thought before he spoke. Memories flooded back from his 12th year. He and his parents had just returned from Jerusalem. The trip home had been tense since it was the second time his parents had traveled that road in several days. Yet, even so, he knew that his presence in the temple had been important.
And so it was, after returning home they all found much work to do. His mother busied herself with household chores and when the evening meal was set, she faced them with tears in her eyes. Something has happened to the gift, she said. Everyone knew exactly what she meant. Before his death, her uncle had given her 10 silver coins. While it signified a good week's wages, the money was more important. Joseph was in failing health and the loss of even one silver coin served as a bitter reminder of the family's continual flirtation with poverty.
The room was silent. Had the coin been stolen? Had it fallen into a crack never to be found again? It seemed almost unthinkable that the money could be missing since Mary was scrupulously careful with the family's finances.
After supper she handed each person a small oil lamp and directed them to begin searching for the coin. By the time dusk had fallen everyone except Mary had given up the search and laid down to sleep.
Mary's triumphant cry woke Jesus sometime later. She was kneeling on the floor holding up the coin, which glinted in the feeble light of the flame. It's here! She exalted! Tomorrow? Tomorrow we celebrate!
Jesus cleared his throat and looked at the crowd and began, "Or what woman having 10 silver coins if she loses one...."
And so it was, after returning home they all found much work to do. His mother busied herself with household chores and when the evening meal was set, she faced them with tears in her eyes. Something has happened to the gift, she said. Everyone knew exactly what she meant. Before his death, her uncle had given her 10 silver coins. While it signified a good week's wages, the money was more important. Joseph was in failing health and the loss of even one silver coin served as a bitter reminder of the family's continual flirtation with poverty.
The room was silent. Had the coin been stolen? Had it fallen into a crack never to be found again? It seemed almost unthinkable that the money could be missing since Mary was scrupulously careful with the family's finances.
After supper she handed each person a small oil lamp and directed them to begin searching for the coin. By the time dusk had fallen everyone except Mary had given up the search and laid down to sleep.
Mary's triumphant cry woke Jesus sometime later. She was kneeling on the floor holding up the coin, which glinted in the feeble light of the flame. It's here! She exalted! Tomorrow? Tomorrow we celebrate!
Jesus cleared his throat and looked at the crowd and began, "Or what woman having 10 silver coins if she loses one...."
