lectio

mary and joseph went to jerusalem for the passover festivities.
they stayed and then proceeded home

each thought jesus was with the other
finding that he wasn't they searched
their relatives acquaintances and friends
not finding him they returned to jerusalem

only to find him among the elders in the temple
listening and asking them questions.

the teachers were astounded at jesus' learning
and when mary asked him did he not know that they
were anxious about him

he simply said did they not know he was in his father's house
they were astonished at jesus

jesus left with them and was obedient to them
and grew in wisdom and manhood.

the word i picked was astonished.
mary was astonished at her son
joseph was astonished at his son

and the teachers were astonished at jesus' learning.

it was a moonlit night and joseph and mary ate their
supper in silence content with the stars and the
warm seasonable weather.

"do you think Jesus had a good time Joseph?"

he seemed to enjoy himself. i saw him playing with the
young jacob lad who lives down the bottom of our village.

yes, they did seem to spend a great deal of time together

yes, said joseph, a few times i caught them on the courthouse
steps seated at the top engaged in a heated discussion.

i went over and inquired what they were talking about.

but jesus just said it was boy talk.

so i assumed it was about a girl, maybe even that new girl
mary who moved into the stone cottage on the other side of
nazareth.

why joseph do you think jesus would be interested in girls. he
is only a boy.

mary, jesus, is 12. he is becoming a young man.

yes, that is true said mary. but he is no ordinary boy.

yes, that is true.

the two fell silent
each intent on their own thoughts.

joseph finally broke the silence.

mary, tomorrow morning let's have breakfast early and find jesus
and see what he wants to do for the remainder of the summer.

ok, said mary.

will you come to bed with me mary

yes, said mary i will be right there. let me just clean off
the dishes for the morning.

once in bed mary snuggled up to joseph

joseph lay on his stomach and put his hand around mary's waist.
his arm brushed across her breast and he lay his hand on her
cheek. he made round circles from the tip of her forehead to the
bridge of her nose and then nuzzled her ear with his lips.

his voice was thoughtful and soft when he spoke, Mary of Nazareth i've loved you since we first met. and then taking a second he corrected himself. no, i take that back i've loved you since before time began.

mary laughed her joseph was a poet at times.

she turned on her side and grabbed joseph's elbow and kissed him firmly on his full lips and spoke in a low voice meant only for the man she loved. i too love you joseph of nazareth. always have. always will.


a coyote started singing as only a coyote can and the two fell asleep
mary resting her head against joseph's forehead
and joseph's hand laying protectively over his wife's belly
their breathing made its own rhythmn of song.

the next morning the
rooster crowed and mary got out of bed
and put her night clothes on

joseph lay there in full view.

mary's view took in joseph's form and she pondered that
joseph was such a handsome man, and he knew how to make
her happy.

she gave him one last look and put the cover over him
and went to the kitchen and prepared breakfast.

joseph heard mary moving in the kitchen and opened one
eye. was it time to get up already. yes, it was said
a voice inside of his head.

joseph got his thoughts together and swung his legs over the bed
he grabbed his night shirt and put his trousers on.

his tall fram lumbered into the kitchen where he found and basin and washed up in the sink.

mary lay the breakfast on the table.
it was a simple meal of cheese and bread and some goat's milk
and strawberry jam.

after a quiet breakfast they dressed and cleaned off the table packed their belongings and
were about to go look for jesus when joseph spied jacob putting
out the morning campfire.

jacob, joseph called
yes, sir, said the young blonde hair boy.

i saw you with jesus yesterday

yes, sir, you did.

well, do you know where he is now.
mary and i want to talk to him.

the boy looked at joseph with warm brown eyes
and a hint of something else joseph couldn't put
his finger on.

jacob didn't answer right away but seemed to be
pondering joseph's question.

well, do you know where he is at said joseph.

yes, i do said jacob.

well, where is he?

jacob looked stedfast as joseph and didn't blink an
eye.

i believe he is in jerusalem sir.

no, he can't be in jerusalem as you can see the caravan
has been three days out and we are on our way home.

i know. i tried to tell him not to stay. but he said
he had some business to take care of.

business, what do you mean business?
Joseph was getting tired of this banter. he wanted to know
where jesus was and he was beginning to be afraid.

mary heard joseph's voice getting louder and louder.

she knew he only did that when he was upset.

the carpenter was known by his neighbors for his quick temper

for the most part he kept it under control
but sometimes it got the better part of him.

now seemed to be one of those days.

sir, continued jacob, i am sure he is okay.

ok, what do you know about ok, said joseph in an impatient voice
you are only a boy.

jacob seemed to puff out his chest a little when he replied in
and even keel controleld voice

i am 12 sir. i will be 13 next friday.

by this time mary had reached joseph's side.
what is it joseph? is it Jesus?