Apostles go back to school

Summer is almost over, and school starts soon. Whether you're new to school or going back for another year, it's still a little scary. You've never taken the bus before; or you don't know your new teachers and subjects. You wish you didn't have to face those new things!

Even if you're afraid of school, you're still happy to meet new friends, buy folders and notebooks, and learn fun things. Even Jesus' followers, who had lots to learn so they could teach others about God, liked their (scary) jobs.

In this week's Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20), Peter learns something new and feels good about it.

"Who do others say I am?" Jesus asked the Apostles. They answered, "John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or another prophet." Jesus then asked: "But who do you think I am?" Peter said, "The Messiah, the son of God." Jesus told him, "Bless you, Peter. Your name means `rock,' and on this rock, I will build my church."

There are some scary things about school: hard classes, bad food at lunch, mean kids, strict teachers. It's easy to look at the hard parts and say, "School stinks! I don't want to go!"

If school is hard for you, think of how hard it was for the Apostles! They were in "school," too, and Jesus was their teacher. They had no books and maybe didn't even know how to read. All Jesus taught them, they had to remember -- and some things were different from the law, so teaching others could get them in trouble.

For all the "bad" parts of school, there are lots of good parts: nice teachers, fun projects, friends, Pizza Day at lunch. You even get stickers or awards for working hard. Jesus' "students" got rewards, too: When Peter got the right answer about who Jesus was, Jesus didn't just give him a sticker. He made Peter the head of the whole Church!

Just like the Apostles, the fun parts of your school time make you forget the scary parts. And the rewards are the most fun of all!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, when I feel scared of school -- or anything else -- help me remember the good parts! Amen.

(08-22-96)