Sixteenth Day
During the days of His sojourn in Jerusalem, what was the occupation of the Lord? He prayed long and fervently in that Temple, in that Holy of holies, in that house which His Father had chosen as His dwelling-place on earth. Our Lord’s whole occupation was prayer. He prayed for the people of God, that they might acknowledge Him as the Redeemer of mankind. The doctors of the Law were there, picturing to themselves and to their audience the greatness of the coming Messias, from the very Scriptures which described His humiliations and modesty. Did Our Lord set them right by making them explain the discrepancies which they could not help noticing in the prophecies? The modesty of the Lord won all hearts, and so His time passed in the service of God. Mary and Joseph ran with joy to their beloved Son, and the Mother, embracing Him, remonstrated with Him, saying, “Son, why hast Thou done so to us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee, sorrowing.” Then He answered, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” He then went home to Nazareth with them, there to continue to do the will of His Father.
Prayer.
O Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.