---

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me look for middle ground instead of arguing with my parents! Amen.

When Jesus heard that John the Baptizer had been arrested for teaching about Him, He moved to Capernaum and started teaching there instead. One day, as Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, who were fishermen. "Come with me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." So they dropped their nets and followed Him.

Parents tend to be very protective of their kids - and kids usually wish they had more freedom. You want to take karate lessons; your parents worry that you'll get hurt. Hopefully, you can find some middle ground where you can have fun and stay safe.

This week's Gospel (Mt. 4:12-23) is about that middle ground. Jesus hears that John the Baptist got arrested for teaching people about Him. Jesus is smart and doesn't want to get arrested Himself, so He goes to another town to teach - kind of like your parents being smart and not letting you take too many chances.

On the other hand, Jesus isn't about to stop telling people about God; that's the whole reason He came to Earth in the first place. So, He moves to another town where the cops aren't after Him yet, but He still teaches about God.

Jesus finds the middle ground - just like you may be able to find middle ground with your parents. Maybe they think karate lessons are too much for you, but you can try another kind of martial arts or exercise. You might even like that better.

It worked for Jesus: When He started teaching in another town, He met two of the men who would become His first Apostles. It turns out that, no matter where Jesus went, there were people He could work with. There's always a middle ground![[In-content Ad]]

---