Jesus does it best

If you're in school, look at the kids around you. If you're home, look at the people in your family. Did you know that every person in the world can do something better than other people? Some kids are good at playing Nintendo. Others are friendly and get to know everyone. You'd be surprised at what the people around you can do!

In this week's Gospel (Lk. 3:15-16,21-22), we hear about one special person: John the Baptist. John was good at baptizing people who wanted to be closer to God. But even John knew that other people were good at other things, and one person was the most special of all: Jesus!

People kept asking John the Baptist if he was God. "No," said John. "But there's someone coming who's so great, I'm not good enough to untie His shoes. I'm baptizing you with water, but He'll baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Then Jesus was baptized, and God's voice came from heaven, saying, "This is my son, and I'm proud of Him." Everyone knew that Jesus was the great person John talked about.

If you work hard at playing hockey, that's a talent you have -- something God gave you to be good at. You can be proud of that, too! But some kids get too proud of what they can do. They show off, or make fun of people who don't have the same talents.

People were proud of how good John the Baptist was at baptizing people. They thought he might be better than anyone else. Some people even thought John was God!

John knew he shouldn't show off, though. He reminded them that God could do everything, better than anyone in the world. Then John had a surprise: He said that God was right there, and pointed to Jesus!

We don't always see the talents of the people around us. Everyone can do something special -- you, your friends, John and most of all, Jesus. John wasn't the only one who said that, either: God's voice came right out of heaven to tell everyone so!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me to be as proud of other people's talents as I am of mine. Amen!

 

(01-08-98)

[[In-content Ad]]