And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. (Luke 2:40–50)
Learn where they who seek Him find Him. Then you too, when you seek Him along with Joseph and Mary, might be able to find Him. They sought Him and, Scripture says, “they found Him in the temple”: not in any other place, but “in the temple”; and not simply “in the temple,” but “in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” You too, therefore, seek Jesus “in the temple” of God. Seek Him in the Church. Seek Him among the teachers who are “in the temple” and do not leave it. For, if you seek Him in this way, you will find Him. But, if anyone says he is a teacher and does not possess Jesus, he is a teacher only in name and Jesus, who is God’s Word and Wisdom, cannot be found with him. He was found, Scripture says, “in the midst of the teachers.” You should understand the words, “in the midst of the teachers,” in the sense in which Scripture, in another passage, speaks about the prophets. It says, “If a revelation is given to another one who is sitting, let the first be silent.” They find Him “sitting in the midst of the teachers”—and not only sitting, but “asking them questions and listening to them.” Jesus is present now as well. He interrogates us and hears us speaking. Scripture says, “And all were astonished.” What were they astonished about? Not about His questions, even though they too were remarkable, but “about His answers.” For it is one thing to ask questions, another to answer them.
Origen, Homilies on the Gospel of Luke 18.3
Sometimes you read the Scriptures and in them seek their meaning with a certain anxiety, and even pain. This is not because you think the Scriptures erred, or contain something wrong. Rather, they contain within themselves an expression and account of the truth. You cannot discover what is true. In just this way His parents sought Jesus, lest perhaps He withdraw from them, or leave them and pass over to some other realm, or—what I consider more likely—lest He return to heaven to come down again when it pleased Him. Therefore, they sought the Son of God “anxiously.” When they sought Him, they did not find Him “among their relatives.” For, a human relationship could not contain the Son of God. They did not find Him “among their acquaintances,” because divine power is greater than mortal acquaintance and knowledge. Where, then, did they find Him? “In the temple.” For, it is there that the Son of God is found. If you ever seek the Son of God, look first in the temple; hasten there. There you will find Christ, the Word and Wisdom—that is, the Son of God.
Origen, Homilies on the Gospel of Luke 19.5
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