Big kids and Jesus

As your parents are leaving, they always tell you to "be a big boy (or girl)" -- to remember that big kids are brave when their parents aren't there. They want you to start being a big kid!

In this week's Gospel (John 12:20-33), Jesus talks about things like that. He reminds His followers that to start something new -- like getting closer to God -- they have to end something old -- having Jesus with them.

Jesus talked about His death, saying, "Unless a piece of wheat dies, it's just a piece of wheat. But if it dies, if it's harvested and made into food, it helps many people. I'm worried about dying right now, too, but that's why I came into the world. When I'm lifted up to heaven, I'll pull everyone on earth closer to me!"

Jesus' followers were scared sometimes, too. When He said He was going to die, they were really afraid! They liked having Jesus right there. They didn't want Him to go to heaven and leave them.

Being a "big kid" when your parents go out means being brave and acting nice to your babysitter. Even if you're scared, you get used to it after a while and feel better. And you know wherever they are, your parents are thinking about you!

Jesus told His followers the same thing. He used the story about wheat to say, "I have to leave." But He also said when He got to heaven, everyone would get even closer to Him.

Like your parents, Jesus promised to think about us while He was gone -- and someday, to bring us all to heaven. That's even better than your parents' coming home!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me let go of being a little kid and learn to be a big kid! Amen.