The Story of Mary: Catholic Version: II Another Special Birth – Chapter 17 Staying in the Temple

When the Passover Festival came to a close, the family from Nazareth prepared to return. They all said their farewells to their Jerusalem family, Joachim and Anna and their relatives form Ein Kerem, Elizabeth and John, and set out. The streets were full of people and it was hard to keep together. Joseph and Mary had all they could do to keep their family together. At the same time, they knew the older children, having made this trip often enough before, knew their way back. As for Jesus, they had already seen him joining some friends so knew he was in good company.

When they passed beyond Jerusalem and joined the throngs of pilgrims heading east, they still assumed Jesus was with his friends or siblings somewhere in the crowd. However, when they got to their first night stop and Jesus was nowhere in sight, they did begin to feel some concern. They searched the area where they were staying and asked many fellow travellers if they had seen Jesus or the older children. Of course, they had to provide a description but it was still all to no avail; there were dozens of young people on the road. They did find the older children but not Jesus. They decided they had no option but to return to Jerusalem next morning to find him.

They went straight to Joachim and Anna’s but he had not returned there. Now they were even more concerned, and so were Jesus’ grandparents. This was not like Jesus, to do things without telling them. Mary’s parents and the other children joined Joseph and Mary in the search as much as they could. It wasn’t until the third day of searching they found him. Some citizens had told them they had seen a boy in the temple for the last couple of days surrounded by rabbis who all seemed to be taking a keen interest in the boy.

Joseph and Mary left their older children with their grandparents and went to the temple. Sure enough, there was Jesus, surrounded by rabbis, scribes, and even some Pharisees and members of the Sanhedrin. Joseph and Mary were not sure what they should do in the face of this august gathering. They indicated to some of the men in the outer circles that this was their son and they needed to take him home to Galilee from the passover feast. Some said, “Well, then you must simply inform these men and claim your son.” The group was so intent on their discussion they hardly noticed Joseph then trying as respectfully as possible to push his way in until he was right behind Jesus. Mary was right behind him. Some in the circle started to look at who this was intruding but before anyone could say anything to them Mary had reached Jesus and, touching him on the shoulder and said, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety (Luke 2:48).”

Jesus looked up at her, almost too innocently, and placed his hand over hers, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my father’s house (Luke 2:49)?”

“I’m not sure what you mean by that,” Joseph interjected, “But can you come home with us now?” 

The learned men around them murmured approvingly and some of them said to Jesus, “Yes, now you must obey your parents and return home with them.” Turning to his parents they said, ‘This boy is unbelievably knowledgeable and mature. Take care of him. See to it that he gets the best schooling you can afford. I am sure we will hear more of him.”

The three from Nazareth bowed and thanked the men for their interest and their praise as they backed away from them, with Mary grasping Jesus’ hand tightly in hers. Then, Joseph, Mary and Jesus turned and made their way to her parents to collect the other children and explain what had happened. Joachim reprimanded Jesus gently for the worry he had caused them all and Jesus apologized. He seemed genuinely sorry for the anxiety he had caused but at the same time did not suggest he had really been doing anything wrong in what it was he was doing. Mary noted this change with some concern.

Just the same, they said farewells once again and started over on their return trip to Nazareth. This time jesus’ parents made sure they kept Jesus near and he obliged. He seemed quite happy to be travelling back with his parents and brothers and sisters. Eventually, they all reached home together. 

Mary kept pondering over the strange things that had happened in her life, not the least being this last action of Jesus himself. She still did not know what to make of it all. Nor did she know where it was really leading. However, things settled down again. 

Jesus was enrolled in the advanced synagogue school for promising boys. He loved this and delighted in coming home and sharing with his parents what he was learning form the scriptures. They, in turn, were amazed at what he gained from them, how he seemed to speak of what he read with such authority. He also often seemed to see things in the law, the prophets especially, and wisdom literature that no one else did. He started at the same time to learn to help his father in his trade and Joseph noted that he was a quick learner and did very good work. He soon became a real asset to his father’s business. This made him proud of this unusual son. All told, Jesus continued to grow and seemed to become unusually wise for a boy his age. However, no unusual or unacceptable behaviour followed for quite some time.

The Story of Mary: Catholic Version:II Another Special Birth - Ch. 12 In the Temple

Between the efforts of their ‘innkeeper’ and Joseph’s own work, the family soon found a better place to stay. They were able to get their own room with another family. They needed to stay and complete their family land business and then register for the census. 

Then they began to think about their original plans of visiting Mary’s family in Jerusalem and her aunt and uncle with their newborn in Ein Kerem. Joseph had some money he had saved to help keep them going but that wasn’t going to last long. Fortunately, he also managed to find a couple of odd jobs to earn some more. On the 6^thday after Jesus’ birth they then did make their way into Jerusalem to Mary’s Uncle Benjamin and Aunt Hannah’s there. They were enthusiastically welcomed and their hosts were happy to see that all had gone well despite the seemingly untimely birth. 

Then Mary’s relatives had an idea: since they were in Jerusalem, why not take Jesus to the temple for his presentation as a firstborn male, his circumcision, naming ceremony and Mary’s purification. If they had not been here it would have been done with family and elders in Nazareth, but that was far away. Mary and Joseph talked it over with them and thought that would be a good idea. Their hosts also then sent word out to Ein Kerem and made preparations for Zechariah, Elizabeth and little John to come to join them all in Jerusalem, “That way, you don’t have to travel so much,” Aunt Hannah said, “You’ve had your share of adventure for now.”

That evening when they were alone for the night, Mary said to Joseph, “I think it is most wonderful and appropriate for Jesus to be presented at the temple. If he is of God through his Spirit, he is not ours. We do need to show that we do give him to The Highest One for whatever His purposes are for him. If he is going to be our king and saviour, the Messiah, we should do the best we can for him in these matters. We should do what is right according to The Law.” Joseph was amazed again at Mary’s knowledge in these matters and her strong faith but had to concede that she had some good points there. This trip was indeed turning into something far beyond what they could have ever anticipated.

The next day little John and his parents arrived. What a joyful reunion that was. Mary could not help looking at the little boy before her and wonder what it had meant when the angel had told Zechariah that John was going to prepare the way of the Lord. How would their two sons’ paths be connected in the future? Only God knew at this time. When she had some time with Elizabeth alone she learned that she and Zechariah had the same questions. Like her and her family though, they tended to keep all this somewhat quiet. It was never a good idea to say too much about these matters aloud in the political climate of the day. King Herod was known to be terribly paranoid about any threats to the throne and the Romans – well, they did not tolerate any threats of what they would surely see as revolt against them.

On the eighth day, Joseph having purchased the required offering as a substitute for their firstborn and for purification, he and Mary went up to the temple, accompanied by their relatives (Luke 2:22-4). They approached the priests at the periphery of the temple and were assured their offering was acceptable. They left it with the priests and received the appropriate blessing for having offered this for their firstborn son. Then they were directed to a side chamber of the temple where Jesus was circumcised. Mary could not bear to look when she saw the priest take his sharp knife and begin to unwrap Jesus’ garments. A sharp cry told her it was over and she turned to gather Jesus tightly into her comforting arms as the priest completed wrapping his newly shorn organ in a poultice and dressing. 

When the priest asked about the name of the child to be blessed, Mary repeated again, "Jesus." The priest did not seem perturbed by this and pronounced his blessing on them, laying his hands on Jesus' head, and then told them they had accomplished all that was required and were free to go. 

They were barely backwithin the courts of the temple when an elderly man appeared crying out with a could voice. He almost raced toward the bewildered family. Before they knew what was happening he had taken Jesus out of Mary’s arms and holding him up toward heaven cried, “Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:27-32).”

Everyone was stunned (Luke 2:33). A small crowd was starting to gather and the family was beginning to feel a bit vulnerable. But the old man was not finished. After finishing his praise to God and blessing him for keeping his promises that he would not die before he had “seen the Lord’s Messiah (Luke 2:25-26),” he turned to bless the young couple and child. Then, placing little Jesus firmly back in Mary’s arms, He gripped her arms and almost piercing her soul with his gaze, declared, “Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. Indeed, because of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul as well (Luke 2:34-5)!” 

Then Simeon turned and strode back through the crowd, continuing to praise The Highest One as he went. Mary could not but help thinking how this was so like what had happened with the shepherds a few days earlier. What was in store for them she could not imagine. She held Jesus even more tightly and leaned towards her relatives and asked, “Who was that?”

“Ah,” said Uncle Benjamin, “that is Simeon. He has been hanging around the temple for as long as anyone can remember. He is forever talking about “the restoration of Israel (Luke 2:25).”

“Indeed,” chimed in Uncle Zechariah, perhaps a little more graciously, “He is known to be a righteous and devout man. The Spirit of the Lord has been speaking to him – especially about the coming of this child,” he said, nodding towards Jesus.

“Well,” replied Uncle Benjamin, “You have all been telling me about these strange and special visitations around the birth of these boys. It seems to grow stranger all the time. Who can tell us what this all really means?

The words were barely out of his mouth when a wizened elderly woman whom they had hardly noticed join them leaned into Jesus’ face and then, turning her eyes to heaven, raised her arms, her face simply glowing, and began to “give thanks to God (Luke 2:38).” She kept on blessing the child and family and praising God before them all. With a final gesture of grasping Jesus’ face in her hands and planting a kiss on his forehead she turned back into the crowd. As she walked off, they heard her speak about the child, saying that they prayers of all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem were about to be answered (Luke 2:38).

By this time, the family was getting a little anxious. Not wanting to attract any more attention, never knowing where that could lead, they quickly made their way to the outer courtyard. As they went, Mary asked her uncles, “And who was that lady?”

“That,” began Uncle Benjamin, “is Anna. She is known as a prophetess, and is a childless widow.”

“Yes,” added Uncle Zechariah again, “she practically never leaves the temple, but spends all her days here in worship with fasting and prayer, even at night (Luke 2:36-7).”  

The family walked most of the rest of the way back to Uncle Benjamin’s in silence. They were all feeling more than a little overcome by what had just transpired and needed time to collect their thoughts.

Mary’s Story: Roman Catholic Version I – Ch. 3 – Origins: A Child is Born

(This chapter is based on the First Gospel of James, sections 5-7)

Tired but relieved, feeling like a heavy load had finally been lifted from his shoulders, Joachim returned home, leaving his generous offerings at the temple in the hands of the priests. That night he and Anna made love with a passion they had not shared for many years. 

It was not long before it was evident Anna was indeed pregnant. The months seemed to fly by and suddenly Anna was in labour. Joachim sent for the midwife and she came quickly. Anna cold have been anxious with a firstborn at her age but, having waited for so long for this day, and knowing of the divine intervention that had brought her to this place, she was more excited than fearful. The midwife, knowing the story – as indeed, did all of Anna’s neighbours by now – was doubly encouraging.

When the baby was born, Anna asked, “What is it?”

“A girl,” was the midwife’s reply, “A perfectly normal, beautiful baby girl.”

Anna was ecstatic! She cried out, ‘This day my soul has grown before the Lord. I am now truly a whole woman.”

After the allotted number of days, Anna performed her purification rites and Joachim and Anna gave their new daughter the name Mary. 

Understandably, Anna was very protective of this precious child. She was even afraid to let her walk too young, lest she come to harm. After all, she had made that vow to give this child to the Lord for his service, so she needed to care for her well, to fulfil the vow. Anna was also then very fastidious about following Jewish dietary rules when she was nursing and then began to feed Mary. She made sure she got nothing considered ‘unclean’ according to The Laws of Moses as written in The Torah.

When Mary was a year old, Joachim made a great feast, and invited the priests, scribes, elders, and all the people of Israel. Joachim brought their daughter to the priests; and they blessed her, saying: “O God of our fathers, bless this child, and give her an everlasting name to be named in all generations.” 

And all the people said: “So be it, so be it, amen.” When the great supper was ended, all the guests left rejoicing, and glorifying the Godof Israelfor blessing Joachim and Anna with this miracle child.

Then Joachim brought her to the chief priests; and they blessed her, saying: “O God most high, look upon this child, and bless her with the utmost blessing, which shall be forever.”

Anna then composed a song of praise to the Lord God, saying: “I will sing a song to the Lord my God, for He has looked upon me, and has taken away the reproach of my enemies; the Lord has given the fruit of His righteousness, singular in its kind, and richly endowed before Him.” 

When Mary was two years old, Joachim said: “Let us take her up to the temple of the Lord, that we may pay the vow that we have vowed. We don’t want to put it off too long and run the risk of our offering not being received.”

Anna sighed; she had grown so attached to this wonderful little daughter of hers, “Can we wait for the third year, when Mary will be at an age where she will be less likely to miss her father or mother?” she asked. 

Joachim thought it over. He had grown fond of his little daughter too. He remembered the story of Elkanah and Hannah bringing their son to the temple to fulfil their vows. They had waited till Samuel had been weaned, which would have made him about three years old, according to their customs (I Samuel 1).  This gave him the courage to respond, “Sure, let us wait.”

When Mary was three years old then, her mother prepared the best suite of clothing she could for her child, along with other things she thought she might need to start life in the temple. Now she knew how Hannah had felt when she had brought her son Samuel to the temple when he was three. 

They went up into the temple of the Lord after they had made their preparations and presented Mary to the priests. The leading priestreceived her, lifted her high in his arms, then kissed her, and blessed her, saying: “The Lord has magnified your name in all generations. In you, in the last days, the Lord will show His redemption to the sons of Israel.”

With that he set her down upon the third step of the altar in front of which she was standing. Joachim had arranged for a number of young virgins to be there with lamps to sing for them, hoping that would help attract Mary to the temple. When they began to sing, it seemed the Spirit of the Lord God sent graceupon her, for she jumped up, face shining, and began to dance. All those worshipping in the temple at the time saw this and praised God, and all the house of Israelloved her.

It was understandably difficult for Joachim and especially Anna to leave their young daughter behind. It was easier than they had thought though because Mary, indeed, made no fuss. They went home marveling at that, and praising the Lord God, because Mary had not turned back. 

Chapter 21 – First Passover in Jerusalem

Life seemed to pass uneventfully for a number of years after the adventures of the first couple of years of Joseph and Mary’s relationship and Jesus’ birth. Joseph continued his work as a builder.  Jesus actually gained some siblings, notably younger brothers James, Joseph, Jude, Simon and sisters Hannah and Elizabeth (Mark 6:3). 

When Jesus came of age his father enrolled him in the local synagogue school. There, Jesus began to hear even more of the scriptures than if he just went to synagogue with his father. He also learned to read and write Aramaic at an elementary level. 

Jesus was a promising student who most definitely impressed his teachers. This made his parents proud of him. It also meant that when he approached his twelfth birthday, his teachers and other friends who knew the family well began to tell Joseph and Mary that they should enrol Jesus in school beyond age 12. Only the better students were known to be given such opportunities. Friends and neighbours might not have understood, but to Joseph and Mary, all of this did not come as a complete surprise. If Jesus was a special child of God, destined for a future role as the angels had told them years earlier, it should not be surprising that he learned these things so well.

Coming of age at his twelfth birthday also meant Jesus was eligible to celebrate Passover with his parents in Jerusalem. Given Jesus’ history as they knew it, Joseph and Mary were both agreed this was something they should certainly arrange. This it was that Jesus travelled to Jerusalem with his parents in the spring of his 12^thyear. They joined an ever-growing crowd of other pilgrims bound for the same destination as they would their way southeast through Galilee and then alongside Samaria until they came to Jericho. Jesus listened to the stories he heard from his peers and his elders about the Samaritans they bypassed, but he did not join in the negative remarks that were made. Leaving Jericho he heard stories about the dangers of that leg of the journey up to Jerusalem. By this time though, the pilgrims were a steady throng of celebrants, singing together and to one another the psalms customarily sung at this time on this road when en route to the temple. Jesus had learned the songs in school and synagogue too and loved to join in as best he could. 

Jesus could feel the excitement build as the wayfarers neared Jerusalem. Passing through Bethany they crested the peak of Olivet and there lay the city and the temple, gleaming in the sun.  Jesus wondered whether the emotions that ran through him as he surveyed the scene before them were shared by his fellow travellers.  He was not filled with any sense of being superior to his peers and their parents but he felt a certain calm, growing conviction that no one else, certainly not anyone his age, understood the significance of all of this as well as he did. As they continued down and across the valley Jesus thought over the rituals and the offerings and sacrifices they were soon to take part in. 

Of course, it would all begin with a passover meal. He looked forward to this, which would take place at his grandparents Joachim and Anna’s home. That was their first destination. By this time he had joined a number of his peers on the way and they enjoyed lifting their voices and singing the psalms as loudly as they could. As they approached the gate into the city before them the group began to disband as Jesus and his friends began to look for their parents. Eventually he spotted them and waited for them to catch up with him. 

“We were wondering whether you were going to get lost,” his father half-teased. 

“Oh, I think our son knows where he belongs,” Mary opined. 

Jesus face was beaming as he joined his parents as they made their way to his grandparents. Joyous greetings and blessings were exchanged on arrival. Jesus’ grandfather took pride in explaining to him what the procedure was going to be for celebrating the passover. Having made sure Jesus knew what it was about, he was invited to join in the preparations. Joachim had already purchased a lamb for the feat; it was tied to an iron ring in the gate to their courtyard. Jesus looked at it with a deep sense of wonder, this animal who was going to be sacrificed to take the place of the firstborn son, according to the ancient Exodus story.

When it came time to slaughter the lamb, Jesus was amazed at how willingly the lamb went with his father and grandfather, having no idea what was in store for it. It made no sound of protest and suddenly its blood was spilled on the ground and its life was taken from it. In no time it was skinned, cut up and roasting on the spit prepared over the home fire. As the family gathered for the meal, Joachim led them all through the repetition of the stories and then the prayers that his people had developed over the years as the celebration of the passover meal. Jesus drank it all in, enjoying his growing understanding, seeing how it all fit together in fulfilment of longheld understandings of the occasion. He was learning so much. 

Mary’s Story Chapter 17 – In the Temple

NOTE: THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN A MUCH IMPROVED, EXPANDED BOOK, "A SWORD SHALL PIERCE YOUR SOUL" from FriesenPress

Between the efforts of their ‘innkeeper’ and Joseph’s own work, the young family soon found a better place to stay. They were able to get their own room with another family. Meanwhile, Joseph and Mary also completed their family land business and then registered for the census. 

Then they began to think about their original plans of visiting Mary’s family in Jerusalem and her aunt and uncle with their newborn in Ein Kerem. Joseph had some money he had saved to help keep them going but that wasn’t going to last long. Fortunately, he also managed to find a couple of odd jobs to earn some more. On the 6^thday after Jesus’ birth they then did make their way into Jerusalem to Mary’s Uncle Benjamin and Aunt Hannah’s there. They were enthusiastically welcomed and their hosts were happy to see that all had gone well in spite of the seemingly untimely birth. 

Then Mary’s relatives had an idea: since they were in Jerusalem, why not take Jesus to the temple for his presentation as a firstborn male, his circumcision, naming ceremony and Mary’s purification. If they had not been here it would have been done with family and elders in Nazareth, but that was far away. Mary and Joseph talked it over with them and thought that would be a good idea. Their hosts also then sent word out to Ein Kerem and made preparations for Zechariah, Elizabeth and little John to come to join them all in Jerusalem, “That way, you don’t have to travel so much,” Aunt Hannah said, “You’ve had your share of adventure for now.”

That evening when they were alone for the night, Mary said to Joseph, “I think it is most wonderful and appropriate for Jesus to be presented at the temple. If he is of God through his Spirit, he is not ours. We do need to show that we do give him to The Highest One for whatever His purposes are for him. If he is going to be our king and saviour, the Messiah, we should do the best we can for him in these matters. We should do what is right according to The Law.” Joseph was amazed again at Mary’s knowledge in these matters and her strong faith but had to concede that she had some good points there. This trip was indeed turning into something far beyond what they could have ever anticipated.

The next day little John and his parents arrived. What a joyful reunion that was. Mary could not help looking at the little boy before her and wonder what it had meant when the angel had told Zechariah that John was going to prepare the way of the Lord. How would their two sons’ paths be connected in the future? Only God knew at this time. When she had some time with Elizabeth alone she learned that she and Zechariah had the same questions. Like her and her family though, they tended to keep all this somewhat quiet. It was never a good idea to say too much about these matters aloud in the political climate of the day. King Herod was known to be terribly paranoid about any threats to the throne and the Romans – well, they did not tolerate any threats of what they would surely see as revolt against them.

On the eighth day, Joseph having purchased the required offering as a substitute for their firstborn and for purification, the young family went up to the temple, accompanied by their relatives (Luke 2:22-4). They approached the priests at the periphery of the temple and were assured their offering was acceptable. They left it with the priests and received the appropriate blessing for having offered this for their firstborn son. Then they were directed to a side chamber of the temple where Jesus was circumcised. Mary could not bear to look when she saw the priest take his sharp knife and begin to unwrap Jesus garments. A sharp cry told her it was over and she turned to gather Jesus into her comforting arms as the priest completed wrapping his newly shorn organ in a poultice and dressing. 

When the priest asked about the name of the child to be blessed, Mary repeated again, "Jesus." The priest did not seem perturbed by this and pronounced his blessing on them, laying his hands on Jesus' head, and then told them they had accomplished all that was required and were free to go. 

They were barely back within the courts of the temple when an elderly man appeared crying out with a could voice. He almost raced toward the bewildered family. Before they knew what was happening he had taken Jesus out of Mary’s arms and holding him up toward heaven cried, “Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:27-32).”

Everyone was stunned (Luke 2:33). A small crowd was starting to gather and the family was beginning to feel a bit vulnerable. But the old man was not finished. After finishing his praise to God and blessing him for keeping his promises that he would not die before he had “seen the Lord’s Messiah (Luke 2:25-26),” he turned to bless the young couple and child. Then, placing little Jesus firmly back in Mary’s arms, He gripped her arms and almost piercing her soul with his gaze, declared, “Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul as well (Luke 2:34-5)!” 

Then Simeon turned and strode back through the crowd, continuing to praise The Highest One as he went. Mary could not but help thinking how this was so like what had happened with the shepherds a few days earlier. What was in store for them she could not imagine. She held Jesus all the more tightly and leaned towards her relatives and asked, “Who was that?”

“Ah,” said Uncle Benjamin, “that is Simeon. He has been hanging around the temple for as long as anyone can remember. He is forever talking about “the restoration of Israel (Luke 2:25).”

“Indeed,” chimed in Uncle Zechariah, perhaps a little more graciously, “He is known to be a righteous and devout man. It would appear that he Spirit of the Lord has been speaking to him – especially about the coming of this child,” he said, nodding towards Jesus.

“Well,” replied Uncle Benjamin, “You have all been telling me about these strange and special visitations around the birth of these boys.  It seems to grow stranger all the time. Who can tell us what this all really means?

The words were barely out of his mouth when a wizened elderly woman whom they had hardly noticed join them leaned into Jesus’ face and then, turning her eyes to heaven, raised her arms, her face simply glowing, and began to “give thanks to God (Luke 2:38).” She kept on blessing the child and family and praising God before them all. With a final gesture of grasping Jesus’ face in her hands and planting a kiss on his forehead she turned back into the crowd. As she walked off, they heard her speak about the child, saying that they prayers of all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem were about to be answered (Luke 2:38).

By this time the family was getting a little anxious. Not wanting to attract any more attention, never knowing where that could lead, they quickly made their way to the outer courtyard. As they went, Mary asked her uncles, “And who was that lady?”

“That,” began Uncle Benjamin, “is Anna. She is known as a prophetess, and is a childless widow.”

“Yes,” added Uncle Zechariah again, “she practically never leaves the temple, but spends all her days here in worship with fasting and prayer, even at night (Luke 2:36-7).”  

The family walked most of the rest of the way back to Uncle Benjamin’s in silence. They were all feeling more than a little overcome by what had just transpired and needed time to collect their thoughts.