Good News for Kids

"I can't do it," you say. "There's no such thing as `can't,'" someone tells you.

That sounds confusing; but what they're probably trying to say is that there's a difference between "can't" and "don't want to." In this week's Gospel (Mt. 14:13-21), Jesus has the same message.

Jesus cured the sick and taught a crowd of 5,000 people about God. When it got late, the Apostles wanted them to go home, but Jesus said, "Feed them yourself." "But we only have five loaves of bread and two fish!" the Apostles said. So Jesus had everyone sit down, blessed the food, and passed it around -- and suddenly, there was enough for everyone, with lots left over!

When you say "I can't," you might mean you really can't do something. Maybe you can't swim because your arms and legs don't work, or you can't eat chocolate because it makes you sick. Then, there's a good reason for saying "I can't!"

The Apostles thought they had a good reason, too. Jesus was tired, His followers were hungry, and the Apostles only had enough food for about five people -- not 5,000. "We can't feed all these people!" they told Jesus. "Make them go home."

Sometimes, you say, "I can't," when you really mean, "I don't want to." "I can't think of anything to do" probably doesn't mean you can't think. It means you're bored and tired of all the things you've done, and you wish someone would think of something new.

Jesus knew that. That's why He showed the Apostles they didn't have to say, "I can't." If they trusted God, they could say "please" instead -- like, "Please, God, give us food" -- and it would happen.

It's easy to say "I can't" when you don't want to do something. But if you always do that, you won't think of what you can do! Summer can be boring, or you can go to the park, sell lemonade, read, or meet new friends. Imagine if everyone said to Jesus, "Please help us! Teach us about God!" -- and Jesus said, "No, I can't."

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me to say "I can't" only when that's really true. Amen!

(08-01-96)