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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me calm down when that's important - and share my happiness all the time! Amen.

A sick man begged Jesus, "If you want to, you can heal me." Jesus felt sorry for him and said, "I do want to. Be healed." And the man was! Jesus asked him not to tell anyone, but the man couldn't help it and told everybody. Then Jesus got so famous, He couldn't even go into a town without being mobbed.

Grownups seem to spend a lot of time trying to calm kids down. They tell you to stop squirming in church, to use your "indoor voice" at the store, to leave your brother or sister alone. It can feel like, every time you're excited, the adults wish you weren't!

This week's Gospel (Mark 1:40-45) is sort of like that. Jesus heals a sick man - who, of course, is now bouncing off the walls with excitement. He's been sick for ages, and he finally feels better! Of course, he wants to tell the world - but Jesus asks him not to.

Often, when a grownup is trying to calm you down, you just don't get it. You're a kid; why wouldn't adults want you to act like one? Isn't it a good thing to be joyful, excited and full of energy?

The Gospel story shows that there's more to it that that, though. Jesus definitely appreciates that the man is grateful for being healed; it's just that Jesus also wants to be able to travel safely and heal people in other places without crowds pushing and shoving.

Sometimes, there might be more to an adult shushing you, too. Calming down in church can help you pay attention and get closer to God; using your "indoor voice" can help other people to be heard, instead of just you.

On the other hand, there's also a time to let your happiness show. Even though the cured man made things tough for Jesus, he did show everyone - including us - that when you believe in someone or something, you don't have to keep it inside![[In-content Ad]]

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