Good and bad secrets

Not all secrets are good, though. If someone you know is getting hurt or someone is hurting you, it's important to tell people.

Good secrets are surprises that make people happy when they find out, like birthday presents. Bad secrets hurt if you keep them.

This week's Gospel (John 9:2-10) teaches us the difference between good and bad secrets. The secret Jesus tells His best friends is a good one!

Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain. All of a sudden, He began to change. His clothes got as bright as the sun! The prophet Elijah and Moses appeared, too. Peter was so excited, he said, "Let's make tents for you all!" Then God's voice said from heaven, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him." Suddenly, they were alone with Jesus again. "Don't tell anyone what you saw," He told them.

Bad secrets make you feel terrible. You hurt inside because you're not sharing the secret. The only way to feel better is to tell people -- your family, grownups you trust, people at church, even the police!

After Jesus let His friends know He was really God, He told them not to share His secret yet. That's because Jesus wanted it to be a surprise.

Jesus' secret didn't hurt anyone; it helped people -- because Jesus' secret was that He came to save the world!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me keep only good secrets, not bad ones. Amen!