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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me be good, even when I'm not getting rewards for it! Amen.

"A man had two sons," Jesus said. "One said, 'Give me 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 threw a party! The other son was angry that his brother got attention after being bad. His father said, 'All I have is yours, but we had to celebrate. Your brother was lost, and now he's found!'"

Are you one of the "good kids?" Some kids never get in trouble. They do their homework, help at home and quietly follow rules. Unfortunately, the adults may not make a big deal of that, because a "good kid" doesn't demand attention.

If you're a "good kid," it can be frustrating when you see a kid who acts up getting attention. You're good all the time; shouldn't you get lots of attention?

This week's Gospel (Luke 15:1-3,11-32) is about that situation. We call it the story of the "prodigal son," but it's just as much about the other, "good" son, and their father.

The prodigal son took his inheritance, ran away and wasted it. He was starving and could only find work cleaning up after pigs. He really went home because he had no other choice.

Any kid who's acted up knows how much it worries the adults around you. They want you to be good and follow rules so you learn how to take care of yourself when you're grown up. If you're a "good kid," that's a relief to the adults, because they don't have to worry as much. It doesn't mean you don't deserve attention; it just means they're confident in your abilities.

The "good kid" in Jesus' story was angry because he wanted hugs and attention, too, but there's one thing that's never mentioned: Did he ask for that? The father reassures him and even promises he'll inherit money, but he's really saying, "I love you. If you ever need to hear that, ask."

You can ask, too. Don't stop being a good kid because you want reassurance![[In-content Ad]]

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