Help from the spirit

"I have a lot more to tell you, but you've heard enough for now," Jesus told His followers after teaching them. "When the Holy Spirit comes, you'll find out more. The Holy Spirit will help you understand what I've told you about God and the future."

"Why did you do that?" your parents yell, upset about something you're in trouble for.

They've been yelling for ages, and you just want them to stop. You don't know why you did it; you don't care. You can hardly remember what lesson you're supposed to learn from this. You just can't listen any more!

Jesus was pretty smart when it came to teaching people lessons. When He taught about God -- like in this week's Gospel (John 15:26-27, 16:12-15) -- He stopped when He thought people had heard enough. That way, they wouldn't forget what He said!

Kids get "talked at" all the time. Parents get scared when you do something that could be dangerous, and they yell and yell; teachers try to fit in as much as they can in a day, and they talk and talk. Sometimes, you feel like you can't listen to any more talking.

Jesus knew that short lessons are best, for kids or adults. He taught people about God in ways they wouldn't forget: by teaching prayers like the "Our Father," by telling stories (we call them "parables") -- and by sending the Holy Spirit to help them understand.

In the Gospel story, He told the Apostles not to worry about getting everything now, because they could learn more later.

The next time you're listening to someone talk on and on, and you start forgetting what they're saying, ask them to be like Jesus: to stop for a while and let you think about what they've already said.

That way, you won't forget!

(06-05-03) [[In-content Ad]]