Given on 17 November 2014 at the London Oratory School, Brompton, at the blessing of the new library dedicated to St Philip Neri and the statue of Mary with the teenage Jesus.
On behalf of the Cardinal, I am delighted to be able to bless the new library dedicated to St Philip Neri as part of the creatively designed redevelopment and refurbishment of the Main School building. The library will enhance the London Oratory School and further the learning and achievement of its pupils. As we look around we see the depiction in art and focus on the virtues, the various quotations from the beatitudes, Cardinal Newman and other great Catholic and Christian writers. These will help the pupils to be imbued with the spirit of the school and deepen their knowledge of the classics of the Christian tradition.
I welcome the new statue of the teenage Jesus with his mother Mary. It is unusual and creative and invites us into the relationship of Mary and Jesus as well as the relationship between mothers and their sons, especially in that stormy period of puberty when independence is sought and parents have to learn to give their children ever more freedom. Whilst we do not often reflect on the hidden years of Nazareth during which Jesus 'increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man' (Luke 2:52), childhood and adolescence laid the foundations so that in his early thirties Jesus could begin his public ministry. From Joseph he learns about wood, carpentry and trade so that he can follow in his footsteps and be known as a ‘carpenter’. From this work of farming and agriculture, he knows that oxen needed a carefully carved yoke which would not chafe and cause irritation and later a sore. Later, Jesus would speak of the yoke by which he invites each person to follow him; the design of which is particular and invites a personal vocation, 'Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light' (Mt 11:29). As the pupils grow in understanding and achievement, I hope that they will also consider the ways in which God is calling them to help build his kingdom and further the common good of society.
There is a very poignant scene in Mel Gibson’s film, The Passion of Christ, when Jesus falls under the weight of the cross and our sins. Mary standing at some distance down a narrow alley in the Old City of Jerusalem glimpses his fall through the crowds and has a flashback to the time when he fell as a child outside the house in Nazareth. This moment brings to the surface all the love and care which she has lavished upon him during his childhood. As Simeon had told her in the temple at the Presentation of the Child Jesus, 'Behold this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also) that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed' (Luke 2:34-35). For mothers, this moment must be repeated again and again as they see their children struggle, fall, grow and suffer in one way or another.
Under the guidance of Mary, Jesus grew in human learning about the life of poor people in towns in Galilee, knew of the burdens of Roman taxation and became acutely aware of the interplay of injustice, poverty, and oppression. He also saw how many Jewish people lived good and holy lives under the Law inspired by the Jewish scriptures. He learnt his prayers at his mother’s knee and grew in love of the scriptures from prayers at home and in the synagogue.
At the age of twelve, Jesus goes up to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover but unknown to his parents stays behind in the temple. We are told by St Luke that Jesus, the student, is found 'sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions'. Sitting implies giving time and being patient, listening reveals an attitude of openness and receptivity, asking questions demonstrates growing in knowledge and insight. When Mary and Joseph return to Jerusalem and find him there, Mary speaks with the deep emotions of anxiety, fear and love: 'Son, why have you treated us so? Behold your father and I have been looking for you anxiously' (Luke 2:48). We can reflect on how her heart must have been torn asunder as it was pierced again by the sword predicted by Simeon. Jesus replies, in his first recorded ipsissima verba in the scriptures, 'Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?' (Luke 2:49). His mother and Joseph do not understand these words but accept them with love. Jesus sets his life in a relationship with God his Father and grows in divine favour and compassion for the poor and needy. To grow in the imitation of Christ and with concern for the poor is part of the learning fostered here in this school.
It is my hope that this statue will inspire deep meditation on the relationship between Mary and Jesus and ponder the enduring love between parents and their children which is at heart of family life. I pray that it will inspire pupils to follow the example of Jesus in sitting, listening, and questioning their teachers so that learning may be deepened. As Jesus grows in conviction of his call and God’s Will, so may this statue inspire pupils to discover their vocation and the ‘definite service’ into which God is calling them. I hope that it will provide consolation to mothers and parents who may not understand their children as they mature and become adults. May Our Blessed Lady be a true intercessor for you when life is difficult. We give thanks for this gift of art and the work of artists. Amen.
Bishop John Sherrington