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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me push myself to act Christian by praying, going to church and helping other people as much as I can! Amen.

At the temple (like a church), Jesus saw people putting money into the collection baskets. Some were rich and put in a lot, but one poor woman only put in two coins. "She gave more than all the others," Jesus said, "because they were rich and gave their extra money, but she gave everything she had."

On any reality TV show, the contestants say the same things: "I've got to bring my A-game." "I've got to step it up." "If I want to win, I have to give it all I've got."

Whatever they're trying to win, they're not satisfied to stick to the middle of the pack week after week until they get eliminated. They're determined to push themselves as hard as they can.

This week's Gospel (Mark 12:38-44) is about someone like that: a widow, someone who, in Jesus' time, would probably have been poor. She's determined to live out her faith; she gives more to her church than even some rich people do.

You might be able to relate to reality-TV contestants who are so determined to win, they exercise like crazy, sing their hearts out or think about strategy all the time. If you really want something, you'll push yourself, too.

The widow in Jesus' story did that. She must have taken a job or lived on very little money so she would have something to give to the temple. She obviously felt like being a religious person meant several things: going to church, praying and helping other people.

What does being close to God mean to you? Do you work at it as much as you work on auditioning for a play, trying out for a team or studying for a test?

Are you like the widow in the Gospel story, like a reality-TV contestant who's determined to win -- or like one of the contestants who really isn't interested in trying very hard?

Jesus expects everyone to push themselves to be Christian.[[In-content Ad]]

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