Kids can be responsible

"Responsibility" might be the hardest word you know -- and not just because it's long.

Kids are always trying to prove they're responsible, that they can act like adults. You can't have a puppy because you're told you won't responsible to take care of it. You're allowed a later bedtime if you swear to be responsible and get up on time in the morning.

Responsibility was pretty important to Jesus, too. In this week's Gospel (Matthew 21:33-43), He talks about being responsible -- and what happens if you're not.

Jesus said, "A man rented out his vineyard. At harvest time, he sent servants for the crops, but the renters killed them. So the man sent his son, thinking, `They'll respect him.' But the renters killed the son." The listeners said, "The man will get rid of the renters and get new ones." Jesus told them, "In the same way, the people who go to God's kingdom will be those who give its fruit."

The renters in Jesus' story made promises, too. To live in the vineyard, they promised to be responsible to grow the owner's crops and give them to him at harvest time.

Being responsible is hard. Sometimes, you can't keep promises you make. You want to go to bed late, but then you don't like getting up the next morning. The renters in Jesus' story weren't responsible at all. They didn't just break promises; they even killed people!

Responsibility takes a while to learn. Trying new things means you learn there are some things you're not ready to be responsible for yet. The renters weren't responsible, so the owner of the vineyard kicked them out.

They learned that the "vineyard" (heaven) really goes to people who keep trying to be responsible. You don't have to do it perfectly; you've just got to keep trying.

Jesus likes responsibility -- even in people who can't spell it yet!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me be responsible as much as I can. Amen!

(09-30-99)