Change is okay with God

When you're changing, people don't always understand. Your parents might get angry that you don't like tomatoes now and try to make you eat them! Jesus changed, too -- and in this week's Gospel (Mark 6:1-6), we find out that people didn't understand Him, either.

Jesus went to Nazareth, His hometown, and tried to teach at the temple there. People who heard Him couldn't believe it. "Isn't He just a carpenter?" they said. "We know His family; He's nobody special." Jesus was sad that they didn't have faith in Him, so instead of doing any miracles, He left town.

The people in Jesus' hometown thought they knew Him, too. They thought He was just a carpenter because He worked as one when He was younger. They didn't notice He was done with that, that it was time for Him to tell everyone He was really God's Son.

When you feel different about something, it's hard if no one understands you. If your mom pushes the tomatoes at you, you might get mad! You want them to believe you're different, but they don't.

That was Jesus' problem. He went to the temple (like a church) in His hometown and taught about God, and everyone laughed! They thought He was crazy or putting on an act.

Jesus' answer was a good one: Don't worry about it. Like you, He was sad that no one believed Him, but He didn't let it stop Him. Instead, He went to look for other people. Jesus knew some people think change is a good thing -- for kids or grownups!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me make good changes and be proud of them! Amen.