Jesus, your best pal

Do you have a best friend? A best friend is the person you're closest to in the whole world. You share everything from snacks to secrets. A true best friend knows everything about you, because you can trust him or her.

This week's Gospel (Mark 1:14-20) talks about trust. The Apostles must have really thought of Jesus as their best friend, because they trusted Him enough to change their whole lives for Him.

Walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw Simon Peter and Andrew catching fish in nets. "Come with me," Jesus called to them, "and I will make you fishers of men." Then He saw James and John, and called them. All of the men left their nets and followed Jesus.

How was Jesus a best friend to the Apostles? If you have a best friend, that person is the first one you tell when something important happens to you. Jesus was the one who made something special happen to Peter, Andrew, James and John: He asked them to follow Him, making them the first four Apostles.

Best friends spend a lot of time together, talking about secrets they wouldn't tell just anyone and having fun. The Apostles got to travel all over with Jesus, getting closer to God by following Him, and Jesus told them all about God and heaven! He even showed them how to teach other people after He went back to heaven.

Most importantly, best friends trust each other. You know that when you need help, you can ask your best friend to listen to your problems, give you some advice if you ask for it, and help you find an adult you can talk to.

Jesus must have been someone you just looked at and knew right away you could trust. When the Apostles saw Him, they didn't even have to get to know Him before they left their jobs as fishermen, their families and homes, and followed Him!

If you love your best friend, think of how much more the Apostles must have loved Jesus to do that for Him. Jesus was the BEST best friend of all!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me remember how good it is to have someone I can trust. Amen!

(01-23-97)

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