Jesus gives some chores

Jesus, help me get my chores done without complaining too much! Amen.

When Jesus heard that John the Baptizer had been arrested for teaching about Him, He moved to Capernaum and started teaching there instead. One day, as Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, who were fishermen. "Come with me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." So they dropped their nets and followed Him.

Most kids have chores to do at home. Whether you have to take out the garbage, keep your own room clean or babysit your little sister, you're expected to help out around the house somehow -- especially if you get an allowance for it!

You might think your parents make you do chores just because they can, but that probably isn't true. Your parents don't want you to grow up never having any responsibilities, because you will be a grownup someday and suddenly have a lot of things you have to do! It's better to learn how to do chores a little at a time.

In this week's Gospel (Mt. 4:12-23), Jesus and the Apostles Peter and Andrew are like your parents and you. When John is killed for teaching about God, Jesus knows He doesn't have much time left to do His own teaching. Soon, He'll die on the cross and go to heaven.

So Jesus asks Peter and Andrew to help Him -- in a way, He gives them chores. Instead of waiting until He's gone and trying to figure out how to teach people, Jesus wants them to learn from Him, a little at a time.

When you're shoveling snow or cleaning your room, it might feel like a chore. But look at it like the Apostles did: When they heard Jesus' invitation, they knew right away that it would be hard to "do chores" for Him, but something good would come out of it. And they dropped everything and followed Him!