Disclaimer: I do not own the Holy Bible.
The following story borrows some material from Gospel accounts and other historical accounts.
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Lost
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Let us go back, far back...
On the roads which take one to and from Jerusalem and the Temple...
The day's journey comes to an end and the groups of men and women gather together. Mary, in distress, realizes that Jesus has not been with Joseph all day long. Joseph, in turn, with grievous heart, realizes the situation. The apprehension is acute and all-consuming.
Mary, who is charity, does not argue or accuse; but the pain that appears on her face pierces Joseph's heart more than any bitter reproach. She begins to tremble. Her face turns pale. Her eyes are wide open. Indeed thus she arouses pity more than any outburst of tears and cries.
The journey was a long one, yet they are no longer tired or hungry. They have not taken any food for so many hours! But they leave everything: the bed prepared and the food ready to be handed out. They go back. It is night, it is dark. It does not matter. Every step takes them back to Jerusalem. They stop the caravans and pilgrims and question them. A long day's walk back to Jerusalem and then the feverish search in town.
Where can their Jesus be? By God's provision, for many hours they will not know where to look. To look for a child in the Temple does not make sense. But where? There is no announcement or notice of a lost child at the gates. No one in town knows anything of the Child.
Then, after three days - the symbol of three other days of future anguish - Mary, exhausted, enters the Temple, walks along the yards and the halls. Nothing. She runs, poor Mother, whenever she hears the voice of a child. Even the bleating of the lambs gives her the impression that she hears Him weeping. But Jesus is not weeping; He is teaching. All of a sudden, from beyond the barrier of a large group of people, she hears His voice saying, "These stones will vibrate..." She endeavors to make her way through the crowd, and succeeds after much effort.
There is her Son, standing in the midst of the doctors, with His arms stretched out.
All else is cast aside. At that moment, nothing else matters. It is Jesus. Mary runs through people and through things with only One Thought. She runs to her Son and embraces Him. She is exclaiming.
"Oh! Why have You done this? For three days we have been looking for You. Your mother is dying with pain, Son. Your father is exhausted with fatigue. Why, Jesus?"
But she knows the answer, even as she speaks the words.
He is Wisdom and He knows. He has a Mission and He is fulfilling it. Above all, above even the earthly father and mother, there is God, the Divine Father. His interests are above ours, and His affections are superior to everything else.
Jesus finishes teaching the doctors with this lesson.
Mary never forgets.
The sun begins to shine again in her heart now that she has her Son, her Jesus, but this knowledge is deeply rooted in her mind. There will be much sunshine and many clouds in the years to come. Great joys and many tears will alternate in her heart. But never again will she ask, "Why?"
"May those be blessed who will accept the Gift with simple hearts and faith."