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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me be grateful for your help and the help of everyone that gets me through the school year! Amen.

"If you love me, listen to my teachings," Jesus told the Apostles. "Then God will come and live in your heart. I'm leaving you soon to go back to heaven, but if you love me, don't be afraid. Remember, I'm going to be with my Father -- and the Holy Spirit will still be with you, even after I'm in heaven."

In just a few weeks, the school year will be over. Remember how you felt back in September, at the beginning of the year? Were you excited about some things and nervous about others? Could you even imagine having done everything you've accomplished this year?

This week's Gospel (John 14:23-29) is like the beginning of a school year. The Apostles are about to start something new; Jesus is about to go back to heaven and they'll have to do the teaching He's been doing. They're nervous! They can't see into the future to know how it will all turn out.

Jesus is like you at the end of the school year, looking back at the way you were in September and rolling your eyes. You can't believe you ever worried! The school year is almost over, and you've done so much: homework, tests, projects, sports, plays, clubs, music. You've learned about math, science, art, history and a bunch of other subjects. You never could have predicted you'd do all that!

The whole point of the Gospel story is Jesus reassuring the Apostles: Someday, it will be the end of their "school year," and they'll look back and be impressed with themselves for what they've accomplished.

Of course, no one gets through a school year alone. God, teachers, family, teammates, tutors, friends, classmates, coaches and other people help you through it all.

For the Apostles, Jesus promised God would be there, too: The Holy Spirit was coming to be with them and guide them through the days to come. They would never be alone in learning and teaching others about God.

The school year is almost over. Be proud -- and thank God and all the people who are helping you toward the finish line![[In-content Ad]]

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