This prayer asks God to help us see Christ's presence in the vulnerable and marginalized, and to become beacons of justice for those in need as Christ was. It references the story of Jesus at age 12 in the temple, astonishing teachers with his wisdom. Though his parents did not understand, Jesus was focused on his Father's work of bringing justice. The prayer asks God to open our eyes to continue Christ's mission.

1. A Prayer For The People of God
God of glory,
your splendor shines from a manger in Bethlehem,
where the Light of the world is humbly born
into the darkness of human night.
Open our eyes to Christ's presence
in the shadows of our world, so that we,
like him, may become beacons of your justice,
and defenders of all for whom there is no room.
Amen.

3. luke 2:41-52
a CLUE to the mystery

4. JesusasaChild
JesusMafa;Cameroon(1973)

5. JesusAmong
theTeachers

7. luke 2:41-52
a CLUE to the mystery

8. Jesus’ parents used to go to Jerusalem
every year for the Passover festival.
When he was twelve years old,
they went up as usual for the festival.
When the feast days were over they
began the journey back, but the boy
Jesus remained in Jerusalem.
His parents didn’t know; they thought
he was in the travelling party, and went
a day’s journey before looking for him
among their relatives and friends.
LUKE
2:41-44

9. When they didn’t find him, they went back
to Jerusalem to look for him. And so it
happened that after three days they found
him in the Temple, sitting among the
teachers, listening to them and asking
questions. Everyone who heard him was
astonished at his understanding and his
answers. Whey they saw him they were
quite overwhelmed. “Child,” said his mother,
“Why did you do this to us? Look – your
father and I have been in a terrible state
looking for you!”
LUKE
2:45-48

10. “Why were you looking for me,” he replied.
“Didn’t you know that I would have to be
getting involved with my father’s work?”
They didn’t understand what he had said
to them. He went down with them and came
to Nazareth, and lived in obedience to them.
And his mother kept all these things in her
heart. So Jesus became wiser and taller,
and gained favor with God and with
those around.
LUKE
2:49-52

11. luke 2:41-52
a CLUE to the mystery

12. “We mustn’t assume he is
accompanying us as we go off on
our own business. But if and when
we sense the lack of his presence,
we must be prepared to hunt for
him, to search for him in prayer,
in the scriptures, in the sacraments,
and not to give up until we find him
again. We must expect, too, that
when we do meet him again he will
not say or do what we expect. He
must be busy with his Father’s work.” N.T. Wright

13. thoughts on today’s passage…
1. Searching for God can seem like a joy when
things are going well, and like excruciating
agony when they aren’t…

14. thoughts on today’s passage…
1. Searching for God can seem like a joy when
things are going well, and like excruciating
agony when they aren’t…
2. I want you to hear both of these simultaneously:
“It’s going to be okay,” and “It’s okay to feel like
things aren’t going to be okay”; “I will never leave
you or forsake you,” and “How long, O Lord?”

15. thoughts on today’s passage…
3. No matter how scared, discouraged or hopeless
you feel, please don’t give up. Keep looking for
God by keeping your eyes on Jesus…

16. thoughts on today’s passage…
3. No matter how scared, discouraged or hopeless
you feel, please don’t give up. Keep looking for
God by keeping your eyes on Jesus…
4. Jesus helps us trust in God’s character even
when not understanding everything God does
or doesn’t do…

17. luke 2:41-52
a CLUE to the mystery

18. Benediction
We bless you, Abba, Father,
for you have visited your people
in one like us in all things but sin,
and in human fragility you have
revealed the face of divinity.
Gather into your arms all the peoples of the world,
so that in your embrace we may find blessing, peace,
and the fullness of our inheritance
as your daughters and sons. Amen.