Session 7: The Hidden Years
I breathe and take some moments to come home to myself . . . how am I as I begin this time of prayer? . . . I offer the time to God . . . how is God looking at that part of the world which is here, now, wanting to pray . . .
A reading from the Gospel of Matthew and another from the Gospel of Luke…
Matthew 2:19-23
When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He will be called a Nazorean.’
Luke 2:39-40
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
As we begin, we bring to mind the three persons of the Trinity, looking on our world with love, seeing its beauty and brokenness. We remember that out of love for us, the Second person becomes human to save us.
We know so little about these hidden years. This invites a creative kind of ‘holy speculation’ as we accompany Jesus as a toddler, a child, an adolescent, and a young man. St Ignatius would suggest a whole day on this exercise, visiting all these stages. We can make a beginning here. Let’s go to Nazareth . . .
What do you want from this time of prayer? It might be: to know this Jesus better, in all his humanity. It might be something else. Tell God what you’re seeking . . .
What time in the life of Jesus in Nazareth would you like to witness? The toddler, the child, the adolescent or the young man . . .
Go to Nazareth and see the place . . .
What do you see? . . . buildings, vegetation, people going about their business . . .
What sounds are there?. . . animals, people talking, working . . .
How old is the Jesus you’re about to meet? . . . How does he spend his days? . . . Who and what is important to him? . . .
What’s your relationship to him? Are you family or friend or a neighbour? Take a little time to realise who you are . . .
Now go and find Jesus . . . to begin with, watch him for a while . . . then, when you are ready, make your presence known to him . . . how do you greet each other? . . . what do you say? . . . what happens between you? . . .
If you need to pause to take more time, then do so. Take as long as you need, to be together, in that place and time . . . . . . . . .
Before you leave, is there a final word you have for each other? . . . is there a parting gesture? . . .
You can return of course and see some other part of his patient journey towards public life . . . for now, take your leave of him . . .
At the end of this time, let his Father know what you think of this beloved Son, Jesus the Nazarene . . . And tell God what this encounter with Jesus has been like for you . . . what’s the invitation here? . . .