They returned… to their own town of Nazareth

At the time of Jesus, Nazareth was a relatively isolated agricultural village north of Jezreel Valley. It is never mentioned in the Old Testament. No wonder, Nathanael from Cana expresses bewilderment when Philip tells him that they have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth: “Can anything good come from Nazareth” (Jn 1:46). Mary and Joseph, who are from Nazareth, went to Bethlehem for the Roman census.

After Jesus was born there, and they have presented Jesus in the

Temple of Jerusalem, they return to Nazareth where Jesus grows up in ordinary surroundings, until it is time for him to preach the Kingdom of heaven. Pope Francis imagines Jesus as another person of his town who shares fully in the life of his family and his people. He learns Joseph’s

trade and then replaces him later as a carpenter. In Nazareth, “Jesus did not grow up in a narrow and stifling relationship with Mary and Joseph, but readily interacted with the wider family, the relatives of his parents and their friends.” It can be assumed that Jesus would mingle with other young people, listen to the adults tell stories, and share the joys and sorrows of his neighbors (Christus Vivit, 29).

FIRST READING • 1 Jn 2:12-17

I am writing to you, children, because your sins have been forgiven for his name’s sake.

I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the Evil One.

I write to you, children, because you know the

Father.

I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God remains in you, and you have conquered the Evil One.

Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever.