The fifth joyful mystery of the rosary is the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple. I cannot help but notice a parallel to this story and the Passion and Resurrection. First, both stories take place during the Passover Feast. Second, both stories take place in the holy city of Jerusalem. Third, Christ is gone for three days, and His loved ones are full of sorrow because of it. Fourth, Christ's loved ones do not understand why such a sad thing happened. Fifth, in the two incidents the Lord returns to those who loved Him. Sixth, Jesus leaves in both instances because He is obedient to the will of the Father.
One can tell that the story of finding Jesus in the Temple is a foreshadowing of what is to come. Even at the young age of twelve He knows what is in His future. Jesus knows what His mission is on earth. Though He shudders at the thought of the cross, Christ accepts it but also knows that His death will not be the end. Not only must we carry our own cross but like Our Lord but we must remember that after suffering and dying there will be rising.
