Jesus says goodbye

If your parents are divorced, you might feel like you're always saying goodbye. You have to say goodbye to your dad when he drops you off at home after a weekend with him, and goodbye to your mom and your pets when you're leaving with him. If you spend the summer with one parent, you have to say goodbye to the other one soon.

Jesus got sad about saying goodbye, too. In this week's Gospel (John 17:1-11), He has to say a big goodbye: He knows that soon, He's going to be crucified (killed) and go back to heaven -- and say goodbye to all His friends and followers.

Jesus prayed alone in a garden: "Father, the hour has come. I did the work you gave me; I taught people about you. I pray for them, because they're staying in the world while I'm coming back to heaven to be with you. Keep them in your name, so they'll be as close to you as I am."

Jesus' way of saying goodbye to His friends was to pray for them. He thought about everything He'd taught them and prayed they'd remember it; and He asked God the Father to take care of them after He was gone.

Saying goodbye can be hard, even if you're used to it. You might want to stay with your dad on a weekend you're supposed to be with your mom, and you want to cry or yell about it.

Jesus felt that way, too. He was going to die soon, but He wished He could stay longer. He knew His friends wanted Him around. But after He told His Father how He felt, Jesus did what God had planned for Him. He knew what you know every time you say goodbye: Leaving is hard, but God is always there -- even when we can't be with the people we love most.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me remember you're with my parents and me, every time I have to say goodbye. Amen!

(05-13-99)