Find real superheroes

Kids love superheroes. You think Superman is cool because he has the power to fly, or that Batman is awesome because his Batmobile is such a great car and he always beats the bad guys.

Superheroes, though, arent real. But in this weeks Gospel (John 20:19-31), we hear about some people who do get super powers from God: Jesus closest followers, the Apostles.

After Jesus died, the Apostles hid in a locked room, afraid theyd be hurt, too. But suddenly, Jesus appeared! Peace be with you, He said; I give you the Holy Spirit. And He gave them the power to forgive peoples sins. Thomas wasnt there and didnt believe the others saw Jesus. But Jesus came again and told Thomas, Touch the cuts in my hands and side, where I was hurt and believe in me. Thomas knelt down, ashamed, and said, My Lord and my God! Jesus answered, You believe in me because you saw me. God bless people who havent seen me, but believe anyway.

Kids love to see superheroes on TV because they can use their powers to help people. Superman is so strong he can lift a car, and Batman can swing from building to building to chase people.

You know real people cant fly or lift cars but that doesnt mean there arent any heroes. In the Gospel story, the Apostles were superheroes. They were regular people fishermen and tax men until Jesus came along. But after He rose from the dead at Easter, He gave them the super power to forgive peoples sins.

A superhero is really anyone who does something brave to help another person. The Apostles were brave enough to follow Jesus even though He was killed. Then they were brave enough to use their new super power to forgive sins and help people come back to God.

Superman and Batman might be cool, but real heroes like the Apostles are better!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me look for real superheroes and to try to be one myself! Amen.