A bear is to share

Lots of kids have toys that are special to them. You play with them all the time, take them everywhere and don't let anyone else use them. But in this week's Gospel (Mark 10:17-30), Jesus says that when we don't share, we're paying too much attention to toys -- and not enough to God.

A man asked Jesus how to get to heaven. "Follow the Ten Commandments," Jesus said. The man said, "I already do that." Jesus told him, "There's one more thing: Sell everything you have and give the money to the poor, then come and follow me." The man got up and sadly went away, because he was very rich and didn't want to do what Jesus said.

If a toy is your favorite, you don't want anyone to touch it. What if they break it? What if they play with it too much, and it isn't really yours any more?

Jesus said that even grownups do that with their things. The rich man in the Gospel story had lots of stuff and didn't want anyone to have it! Like you with your teddy bear, the man didn't want to give up what was special to him.

Even if your Nintendo is the best thing you own, it's no fun if you don't use it with a friend. Who wants to play by themselves? Jesus told the rich man the same thing: If the man kept all his "toys" to himself, he'd be bored and lonely.

Not wanting to share doesn't mean you're a bad person. Jesus was glad the rich man followed the Commandments and didn't hurt people. But He said we're supposed to do more than not hurt people; we're supposed to help them!

Jesus wants everyone to share what we have, help poor people -- and even let someone else hug your teddy bear.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me to share whatever I have, whenever I can. Amen!