Finding a forever friend

You've been friends forever. You play together, sleep over at each other's houses and share toys. But all of a sudden, one of your friends isn't as friendly any more. You aren't sure why, but you just aren't the close friends you used to be.

Losing a friend can make you sad, angry and lonely. You thought you'd be friends even after you grew up, but now you know that that won't happen.

In this week's Gospel (Mark 10:2-16), Jesus talks about what it's like for married people to stop being friends -- and get a divorce.

Some people asked Jesus, "Is it okay for us to get a divorce? Moses let us have divorces." Jesus told them: "Moses taught that divorce was okay because you were going to do it anyway. But when God created people, God made men and women different so they could be together."

Some friends stay friendly for years and years. You see each other get older and bigger, and learn new things. Other people are just friends for a while; as you grow up, each of you finds new friends.

When people get divorced, they still love their kids and want to be friends with them forever. The two grownups just don't want to be friends with each other any more.

Jesus knew how sad it is to lose a friend. That's why He told grownups to think about what kind of friend they were marrying, so they wouldn't have to worry about getting a divorce. Jesus knew that some people are only friends for a while; but He hoped that when people got married, they chose a friend who would be with them their whole lives.

Everyone, kids and grownups, loses some friends as they grow and change. But Jesus wanted us to remember that we weren't meant to lose all our friends. Some people, if they try hard, can be friends forever!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, teach me to remember that you'll always help me find friends. Amen!