Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/468

 neyed a whole  day  without  noticing  His  absence. But when evening came,  they  looked  for  Him,  and,  not  finding  Him,  were overwhelmed with  grief.

They returned  immediately  to  Jerusalem,  and  during  three days sought  Him  through  the  city,  but  in  vain;  no  one  had seen the  Child. At length,  on  the  third  day,  they  went  to  the Temple, and  there  they  found  Him,  sitting  in  the  midst  of  the doctors of  the  law,  hearing  them  and  asking  them  questions. All the doctors  were  astonished  at  His  wisdom  and  His  answers.

Mary and  Joseph  were  filled  with  wonder  and  joy  at  seeing Him again,  and  His  Mother  said  to  Him:  “Son,  why  hast  Thou done so  to  us? Behold, Thy  father  and  I have  sought  Thee sorrowing." But  He  answered:  “How  is  it  that  you  sought  me? Did  you  not  know  that  I must  be  about  My  Father’s  business?" But “they  understood  not Redeemer  from  sin,  and  the  Light  of  the  Gentiles,  but  they  did  not  understand  in what  way  He  would  accomplish  the  great  work  of  Redemption,  and  how  His  remaining behind  in  the  Temple  could  be  connected  with  it. the word  that  He  spoke  to  them."