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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me resist what seems to be irresistible! 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.

You've been told not to do something: Don't climb on a chair; don't touch your mother's makeup; don't peek inside your parents' closet before your birthday. Now, you almost wish you hadn't been warned, because doing what you're told not to is almost irresistible!

Part of being a kid is testing limits. Sometimes, you do good things you've been warned against: A mean kid warns you not to be friends with someone, but you stick up for your friend anyway. Other times, you just can't resist touching things that aren't yours or going against your parents' wishes.

This week's Gospel (Mt. 4:12-23) teaches us that adults test limits, too. Even Jesus did! When Jesus first heard that John had been arrested for teaching about Him, Jesus' response was to move away. He was probably scared to be arrested for His teachings, too.

But, like a kid who's been warned against doing something, Jesus couldn't resist going back to telling everyone about God. As soon as He saw Simon Peter and Andrew, He automatically asked them to become His Apostles - just like you "automatically" find yourself looking inside your parents' closet, even when you've been warned not to spoil your birthday surprise.

Some things are just irresistible. Hopefully, growing up helps you to understand the difference between standing up for what's right and just getting in trouble!

(01/20/11)[[In-content Ad]]

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