I often wonder as I pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, and we get to the Nativity of our Lord, the Presentation of Jesus and the Finding in the Temple, who was around during those events. We know some because they are mentioned in the Bible, but who is not mentioned?
Particularly, if Annas and Caiaphas were there. Annas was high priest starting in about 6AD and Caiaphas, who was his son in law, was born around 14BC, so the rank and the ages make sense that they could/would be around the temple in Jerusalem.
Were they some of the Jewish scholars called on by Herrod to determine where this new king was born after the visit from the Wise Men?
Were they in the temple when Simeon proclaimed after meeting Mary and Joseph with the Baby Jesus, “Lord, now you can let your servant go in peace for I have seen the Savior” (not exact quote) and when Anna acknowledged that this Baby was the one.
Where were they when the lad of 12 was teaching for 3 days in the temple? Did they watch the elders question Him and speak amazement at His understanding? Were they attentive to Him or were they threatened by Him, a boy of 12?
It just makes me wonder if Annas actually started the plot to kill Jesus at the same time that Herrod did. Was his earthly title and prestige so much more important then the promise of eternity with the Father? Was he so willing to drag others with him to protect his status on earth?
But sadly we find the same scenario today. Preachers preaching what they feel instead of the Truth. Followers bending and twisting the words of Jesus to fit their narrative. And so many forgetting Jesus’ words to live by: “if the world hates you it’s because it first hated me.”
How many justify their actions with Christ’s words “thou shalt not judge” without reading the entire book?
To wrap it up, this reading from Acts 5 that we heard a couple of Sundays ago has stuck with me:
“When the captain and the court officers had brought the apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
“We gave you strict orders, did we not,
to stop teaching in that name?
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
But Peter and the apostles said in reply,
“We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles
to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.
So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,
rejoicing that they had been found worthy
to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.”
Lord, help me obey you rather than men or the secular culture we live in. Give me the faith to stand up strong in your Holy Name, grant me the love to see you in everyone I meet.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you, save souls!
Just a Fat Sassy Grandma 