The Finding of Jesus in the Temple: On respecting space

"And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not." (Luke 2:43) Mary and Joseph's reactions are refreshingly unrestrained: there is that mix of anger, relief and love which any parent would recognise. Perhaps for the first time, Jesus is behaving in a way that is marking him out as an individual in his own right. He may not quite be 'testing the limits of his freedom' as children on the cusp of adolescence tend to do, but he is certainly showing a desire to communicate his inner world to those on the outside. This is a tentative step on the journey towards selfhood and a rehearsal for the Gospel. The sword mentioned by Simeon makes a brief appearance in this passage. But it is the 'cord' binding mother and child which is being severed at this point. Mary must accept and respect her son's need to flex his muscles and live a life which is not simply an extension of her own. Difficult, apparently thoughtless behaviour is not the end of the world and more often than not the beginning of a new one. Knowing when and how to create respectful spaces for this growth is a grace.