Why are you looking for me?

He is the Life.
Love Him in the world of the Flesh;
And at your marriage all its occasions shall dance for joy.
W.H.Auden

The journey of the Magi, James Tissot

After three days they (Mary and Joseph) found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions...When his parents saw him, they were overwhelmed. His mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.”  But he replied, “Why were you looking for me? ” Luke 2:46-48

Zeroing in on our motivation

The young Jesus, left behind by his family, is questioned by a fraught Mary and Joseph, replying with 'Why are you looking for me?'  

"It is a good question.  If we sit with it, we may hear Jesus's desire to know what motivates us - and we may find ourselves, likewise, unable to answer."  writes John Dear.  As usual a question of Jesus stops us in our tracks requiring slow and honest reflection and not a hasty response.  He changes and deepens the conversation.