I started it too. The similarity of Jesus being lost as a child for three days and three days in the tomb is striking. Mary stayed right with him throughout all of it. And Joseph a carpenter and Jesus nailed to a cross. So much to ponder during this passion rosary.
And the prophesied 3-days of darkness to come upon the world. Incidentally, many scholars reckon the 3rd sorrow, the loss of Jesus for three days, was the worst of the sorrows that Mary went through. Even more painful for her than the passion, the 4th and 5th sorrows. Much to contemplate...
Any parent who has discovered their child is missing goes through an untold agony. I always think of this when I meditate on this mystery. Once with my oldest child at a state fair--i found him subsequently. And once with my youngest who took wrong turn when we were camping. Again, he was found but even short agony is still agony. I cannot imagine 3 days in a huge dangerous city.
PF What a wonderful testimony. Also Bernadette I love your story. Jack Thanks for recommending this beautiful devotion. I have started it also. I missed a day here and there. I tune into the rosary of sorrow of Our Lady on YouTube. It really helps when I am tired. I'm doing it for my son in law who needs to find faith. All your stories are so encouraging.
And then when she finally finds Him, after probably imagining Him running into her arms with joy and relief to see her, she finds instead that He was "lost" on purpose, and was perfectly fine without her. With her very tender heart, that must have been an utterly crushing feeling. She was so heartbroken without Him, and here He is so busy and nonchalant... And Him being God, she knows that He knows how agonizing these 3 days have been for her. It must have felt like being abandoned by God for 3 days, while feeling that the whole thing was her fault. There are so many layers of suffering to this one.
I too lost my daughter for about 10 minutes at a mall. I almost went out of my mind so I can relate. Saying this Rosary every day.
It had never occurred to me before, but he was probably also preparing her for the three days he spent amongst the dead.
You are so right. Layers and layers. All I can think of is how like a 12 year old to put you through all that suffering and then to say :"why were you looking? Didn't you know....etc" Jesus is both human and divine of course but his very human 12 year old self was acting exactly like a 12 year old. I always think Luke's cryptic remark at the end "He went home and was subject to them..." shows He was making up for it by being very obedient afterward.
Like any good father, I've always assumed that St. Joseph must have had a discussion with Jesus following His disappearance.
And what a responsibility he had during those 3 days, trying to stay strong and reassure Mary while he was so worried himself!
