Jesus lets everyone in

blain

Clubs are fun when you're a kid. You can build a clubhouse, have code names like spies and make up special passwords to get in. The only problem is that everyone wants to be a member of your club! You have to decide whether you'll let everyone in, or just your best friends.

In this week's Gospel (Mt. 28:16-20), Jesus and the Apostles had the same problem. Jesus wanted everyone to follow Him, but the Apostles weren't sure they wanted everyone in their "club"!

After Jesus came back from the dead, the eleven Apostles went to Galilee to meet Him. They felt a little scared, but Jesus told them, "Go and teach all people about God, and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And remember, I'll always be with you!"

Clubs are fun because you can make up all sorts of things to do in them. You can have a special knock on the door to get in, send messages in secret code and plan games together.

When Jesus came back to life, He wanted the Apostles to start a kind of club. He told them to teach everyone in the whole world about God, so they could all follow God together. Like kids playing in a club, everyone would be able to talk about what Jesus said, pray together and be baptized.

When you start a club, it's easy to start deciding that some kids can't be a part of it. You want to have secrets, so there has to be someone who doesn't know about your club, right?

Jesus would say, "WRONG!" When He met the Apostles, He didn't tell them to baptize only their friends, popular people or people who lived in their country. He said to teach "all people" about God!

Clubs are supposed to be fun, but Jesus knew that when some people aren't invited to be part of the club, they won't have fun at all. Jesus' club included everyone -- and so should yours!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, teach me to make everyone a part of my clubs. Amen!

(05-22-97) [[In-content Ad]]