A really big mistake

Jesus, help me remember that, even when I make huge mistakes, you and my parents still love me! Amen.

"A man had two sons," Jesus said. "One said, 'Give me half your money,' then ran away and spent it all! He got so poor he had to clean pigpens. Finally, he went back and said, ashamed, 'I don't deserve to be called your son.' But his father hugged him and had a party! The other son was angry that his brother got attention after being bad, but his father said, 'All I have is yours, but we had to celebrate. Your brother was lost, and now he's found!'"

Wow, are your parents angry! You've done something bad enough that you wonder if they will ever forgive you, and you are scared to death. You've been grounded and all your privileges taken away, but you still feel afraid and ashamed. What if you never get over this?

You're not the first kid to have that fear. In fact, this week's Gospel (Luke 15:1-3,11-32) tells us that kids were going through this even back in Jesus' time.

The son in the Gospel story has been really, really bad. He took the money he would have inherited from his father someday and wasted every penny. He was broke and had nowhere to go but home -- but he didn't think he'd be welcome there.

If you've made your parents really angry with something you did, you know how it feels to dread going home. But there's good news!

Jesus' story reminds us that, no matter how angry parents get, you're still their kid. You made a bad decision, but they know you're a good person who could make better ones.

That's why the father in the story celebrates when his son apologizes. He sees that his son understands his mistake -- and, no matter how angry that father got, he loves his son.

If you're sitting in your room, grounded for weeks and unable to watch TV or do anything, it's good to remember there are second chances. Someday, when you've gotten through your punishment, there will be fun and good times again!