We give thanks unto thee, O Lord, who lovest mankind, Thou benefactor of our souls and bodies, for that Thou hast this day vouchsafed to feed us with Thy Heavenly Mysteries; guide our path aright, establish us all in Thy fear, guard our lives, make sure our steps through the prayers and supplications of the glorious Mother of God and Ever Virgin Mary and of all Thy saints.

     RUSSIAN.

The time was come when by the law of His people the Boy Jesus must assume the duties of an adult in the exercise of His religion.  Therefore His parents took Him with them to Jerusalem that He might participate in the celebration of the Passover.  It would be a wonderful moment in the life of any intelligent Hebrew boy when for the first time he came in contact with the places and scenes which were so familiar to him in the story of his nation’s past; and we can imagine what would have been the special interest of the Child Jesus who would have been so thoroughly taught in the Old Testament Scriptures, and who would have felt an added interest in the places He was now seeing because of their association with His great ancestor, David.  Still His chief interest was in the religion of His people, and it was the temple where the sacrificial worship of God was centred that would have for Him the greatest attraction.  This was His “Father’s House,” and here He Himself felt utterly at home.  We are not surprised to be told that He lingered in these courts.

“And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew it not.”  They had perfect confidence in Jesus; and yet it seems strange that they should have assumed that He was somewhere about and would appear at the proper time.  When the night drew on and the camp was set up there was no Child to be found.  Then we imagine the distress, the trouble of heart, with which Mary and Joseph hurry back to Jerusalem and spend the ensuing days in seeking through its streets.  We share something of our Lord’s surprise when we learn that the temple was the last place that they thought of in their search.  Did they think that Jesus would be caught by the life of the Passover crowds that filled the streets of Jerusalem?  Did they think that it would be a child’s curiosity which would hold him fascinated with the glittering toys of the bazaars?  Did they think that He had mistaken the caravan and been carried off in some other direction and was lost to them forever?  We only know that it was not till three days had passed that they thought of the temple and there found Him.  “And when they saw Him, they were amazed:  and his mother said unto Him, Son, why has thou thus dealt with us?  Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.  And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me?  Know ye not that I must be in my Father’s house?”