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Reflection By Rosa Mitchell,St Patrick's Primary School, Pakenham.As a mother and teacher I can certainly relate to Luke 2:41-52. As a mother, I can relate to Mary’s overwhelming worry when she could not find her son. When my son was 7 we got separated in the local shopping centre – suddenly that shopping centre felt bigger than the entire universe – where was he, was he abducted, had he fallen somewhere, I felt a deep, almost primal fear. I had complete strangers looking in the men’s toilet, I ran around frantically from shop to shop shouting his name!!! And this was in the local shopping centre. Mary was separated from her treasured son by miles and days.
I can easily imagine Mary panicking when she realized that her son Jesus was not with her on the journey home. Having spent a day’s journey assuming He was among the other travellers. The frantic searching amongst the crowd hoping against hope to spy a glimmer of her son. The three days of searching must have been agonizing. What relief Mary must have felt when finally, she locked eyes on her son. I remember my overwhelming relief, and how my heart filled with joy, upon recognizing my son through just a fragment of his being. How Mary’s heart must have also filled with joy as she saw her son! Suddenly no one else exists when you find your loved one safe.
Where did I find my son? In Big W playing video games (back in the mid 90’s) ...I should have known!!!
Where did Mary find her son…sitting in His Father’s house sitting in the temple among the teachers … "Did (she) not know that (he) must be in (His) Father’s house?" Mary must have thought, “What were you thinking? Why didn’t you come with us? We’ve been so worried about you.” But Jesus’ words reflect a self assurance and a knowing of self — a child who, at twelve years of age, understood His divine purpose and calling.
As a teacher, this passage is a powerful reminder of how my students grow in both wisdom and knowledge. Jesus wasn’t just passively listening to the teachers in the temple; He entered into discourse —asking questions, offering insights, and showing a deep understanding of His relationship with God. As a teacher how I would have loved to have been part of this rhetoric between Jesus and the esteemed rabbis. As a teacher I would have been so delighted in witnessing such intellectual maturity, in an individual of such a tender age knowing he understands his deeper purpose… even at this young age, Jesus was starting to grasp His mission.
As a mother, I continue to feel the responsibility to guide and protect and offer that listening ear to my children as they continue to grow. But this passage also reminds me that part of my job is to step back, allowing them space to figure things out for themselves and discover answers in their own way. As a teacher, I continue to strive to create an environment where curiosity is encouraged, where students feel safe to ask questions and explore their own ideas.
When Jesus returns to Nazareth with His parents, it’s a beautiful reminder of balance. Even though He had a sense of His divine mission, He still honored His parents and returned home with them in obedience. As a teacher, I try to emphasize the importance of respecting and fulfilling responsibilities, even when students feel the pull of social media, peer group pressures and to be with the ‘in crowd’.
Ultimately for me as mother and teacher, this passage is a powerful lesson in trust. Trusting in our children’s growth, in the guidance we offer, and in God’s plan for their lives. A lesson that I take from Mary is to continue to endeavour to nurture and guide my children and students, to grow into the people they are meant to be. I continue to work hard to balance love, guidance, and trust as I walk alongside my children and students… It is a work in progress!
