ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS

It's almost the end of summer. Soon, school will start, leaves on the trees will turn colors, and the weather will get colder- the beginning of fall.

After every ending, there's another beginning. Fall starts after summer is over; vacation ends and school begins. In this week's Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20), the Apostles learn about a different beginning: the beginning of Christians, people who follow Jesus.

"Who do other people say that I am?" Jesus asked the Apostles. They answered, "John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or another prophet." "But who do you think I am?" Jesus asked. Peter said, "The Messiah, the Son of God." Jesus told him, "Bless you, Peter! Your name means 'rock,' and on this rock, I'll build my church."

Sometimes, you don't see an ending coming until it's here. It feels like summer will last forever until it starts to get colder out. School seems far away all summer until it's time to go back.

The Apostles didn't really know an ending was coming for them, either. They'd been following Jesus around and listening to what He taught for a while, but they didn't know how much it had changed them until He asked them about it. Then they saw that they had stopped believing the lies other people said about Jesus and started believing He was really God.

Endings can be sad times, but exciting times, too. When summer ends and school starts, you might feel angry, but then you get to buy school supplies and meet friends at school! That part is fun.

For the Apostles, ending their old way of believing in God was exciting. When Jesus called Peter the "rock" He'd build His church on, He meant Peter was a good leader who'd help other people follow Jesus. The Apostles became the first Christians, and we're still Christians today. That ending was followed by a great beginning!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me not to be scared of endings, because you'll always have another beginning waiting for me! Amen.

(08-19-99)