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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me ask adults for explanations when I don't understand a decision or a rule! Amen.

"I have much more to tell you, but it will be too confusing right now," Jesus told His followers after a long day of teaching. "When the Holy Spirit comes, He will explain everything I've said to you, so you'll understand it better. Then you'll be closer to God."

Half the things adults do make no sense to kids. You might argue with your family's decisions or object to rules at school, but you have no choice but to obey them. The adults are in charge.

Once in a while, you can look back at something your parents or teachers did and see that it was a good idea, even if you didn't understand it at the time. That's what this week's Gospel (John 16:12-15) is about.

Adults don't always explain things to kids. That's part of the reason you don't understand their decisions. If you realized that changing your bedtime meant your parents wouldn't have time alone to talk in the evening, you might feel less annoyed at going to bed. If they explained that they remembered you staying up late before and not feeling well the next day, that might help, too.

In the Gospel story, that's how Jesus handles His talk with the Apostles: He explains everything.

Jesus has given His friends a lot of information. He's talked about God the Father and Himself and the Holy Spirit. He's told them that He'll be going back to heaven soon and they'll have to carry on His work. Who can understand all that?

When an adult's decision makes no sense, asking "why" is only natural. You want an explanation. If you get one, you still may not agree, but at least you know the adults have their reasons.

Jesus told the Apostles He knew they didn't understand everything. But He promised an explanation was coming: The Holy Spirit would stay with them and help them understand anything they needed to know.

It's good when an adult gives you an explanation. It's even better when God does![[In-content Ad]]

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