How we're like pets

In a way, that's what people felt like around Jesus! In this week's Gospel (John 10:27-30), He calls the people who follow Him "sheep," and says that as soon as they hear His voice, they can't wait to be near Him.

Jesus told a crowd, "My sheep -- my followers -- know my voice when they hear it, and they follow me. I help them to live forever with God, and no one can take them away from me, because God, my Father, gave them to me. God the Father and I are really the same person."

That's just what Jesus did for His followers! He taught them things -- like the fact that God loved them, and that if they followed Him, they'd get to live in heaven with God someday. He listened to the things they were afraid of and promised He'd always be with them in their hearts.

Of course, people aren't really like pets. You can understand lots of things your dog never will! Jesus knew that, too -- so He didn't just treat His followers like sheep. He told them important stuff like the lesson in the Gospel story: that God the Father and Jesus (and the Holy Spirit) are really the same person!

You might be a lot smarter than a dog or a sheep, but animals can teach us something important. Like sheep follow a shepherd or your dog follows you around, we're supposed to follow Jesus. That means praying, following the rules He gave us and helping other people. If we do that, we'll be even happier than a puppy!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me follow you everywhere. Amen!