Devotion for May 8th, Mothers Day

A brief prayer is offered that you can add to your daily prayers this week. The scripture is from our Sunday Service Bulletin for 8 May 2016.

GOSPEL READING Luke 2: 41-52 (English Standard Version)

⁴¹ Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. ⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. ⁴³ And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, ⁴⁴ but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,⁴⁵ and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.⁴⁸ And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” ⁴⁹ And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” ⁵⁰ And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. ⁵¹ And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Devotion: Mothers’ Day

Parents sometimes “misplace” their children with no intent of harm, for instance both can think the other will be in charge of getting them home from church or a school event and it can backfire. If you’ve ever done it, you know the sinking feeling you have [What was I doing, I am a terrible mom or dad!!] until you regain control of the situation and find your child. We do not know all the details, but we know the story line of Jesus remaining behind here in Luke.  Mary, after a desperate search and then finding him, in verse 48 is lightly admonishing him. Surprisingly, Jesus’ response, though gentle, seems to offer a hint of independence from his earthly parents when he talks about His duties in His Father’s house. But, by verses 50-51, Jesus then becomes submissive and pleases His mother. What a nice message for Mother’s day!

We pray: Lord thank you for our Mothers. Amen