Patristic Wisdom: Looking to the Second Sunday after Christmas

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 2:41–50)

Sometimes you read the Scriptures and in them seek their meaning with a certain sorrow, 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 “in sorrow.” 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 thither. There you will find Christ, the Word and Wisdom—that is, the Son of God.

Because He was a small child, He is found “in the midst of the teachers,” sanctifying and instructing them. Because He was a small child, He is found “in their midst,” not teaching them but “asking questions.” He did this because it suited His age, to teach us what befits boys, even if they are wise and learned. They should rather hear their teachers than want to teach them, and not show off with empty displays. As I was saying, He interrogated the teachers not to learn anything, but to teach them by His questions. From one fountain of doctrine, there flow both wise questions and wise answers. It is part of the same wisdom to know what you should ask and what you should answer. It was right for the Savior first to become a master of learned interrogation; later He would answer questions according to God’s Reason and Word.

Origen, Homilies on Luke 19.5–6