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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, teach me not to try and get away with things, because it's wrong and I'll probably be noticed anyway! Amen.

After Jesus died, the Apostles stayed in a room to talk about it. They locked the door, but, suddenly, Jesus came in anyway! "Peace be with you," He said, and gave them the power to forgive sins. One Apostle, Thomas, wasn't there -- and didn't believe the others saw Jesus. Later, Jesus came back when Thomas was there. "Peace be with you -- and, Thomas, believe in me," He said. So Thomas did!

How often have you thought you were getting away with something, but found out you weren't? You're quietly teasing your brother and one of your parents suddenly turns to you and says, "Cut it out!" You're goofing off at school, showing off for your friends, and a teacher notices and scolds you. You can't get away with anything!

The same was true for the Apostles. In this week's Gospel (John 20:1931), Thomas thinks he's smarter than the other Apostles -- that they only think they saw Jesus, but it didn't really happen. He probably thinks his friends are so upset about Jesus dying on the cross that they made up seeing Him or imagined they did. Thomas thinks he's getting away with showing off how smart he is. Then Jesus shows up, and Thomas finds out he isn't so smart after all! The Apostles really did see Jesus, because He rose from the dead after three days, just like He promised He would.

If you're trying to get away with something, it's usually because you know you're in the wrong: You're being mean or showing off or hiding something you did, because you know you'd be punished. When you're caught, your face turns red and you feel really uncomfortable.

Imagine Thomas' face when Jesus appeared! Jesus had taught over and over that He was the Son of God and would come back, but Thomas was arrogant and refused to believe it.

It's probably best not to try and get away with things in the first place. You never know who's watching: teachers, parents and especially God![[In-content Ad]]

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