Making room for Jesus

You're trying to watch TV, and your sister is getting in the way. "Move!" you shout, but she sticks her tongue out and stands right in front of the TV. Before you know it, you're fighting, and both of you get in trouble.

Jesus didn't like fighting, but He would understand why you're upset with your sister. He often got frustrated, trying to get people out of His way so He could do His job. In this week's Gospel (Matthew 16:21-27), Peter is the one in Jesus' way.

Jesus told the Apostles that He would soon die to save the world. They were sad and angry at losing Him, and Peter said, "That should never happen to you!" "Get away from me, Satan!" Jesus answered. "You're thinking like a person, not like God."

When you want to watch TV and your sister is acting like a brat, it's easy to get upset. If she won't get out of the way, you yell, tell your mother or go to another room to use the TV.

When Jesus talked about His ideas, a lot of people got in His way, too. Even His friends and family bothered Him about doing what God sent Him for. They didn't want to lose their friend if He died, so they got in His way to try and stop Him.

In the Gospel story, Peter got in Jesus' way, and Jesus got angry. "God wants me to do this!" He told Peter. "You're acting like the devil, trying to tempt me to stop doing God's will. Get out of my way!"

You can't always stop your sister from getting in your way -- but if you think about why she's annoying you, you might decide that she's just trying to get your attention. Maybe she wants to spend some time with you, and you're busy watching TV.

Jesus knew that about Peter, too. Even though He was upset, He saw that Peter was really sad that Jesus was going to die. "You're not acting like God," Jesus explained, so Peter would know He wasn't too angry. Jesus just wanted Peter to stay out of His way -- just like you want your sister out of yours!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me to be patient when someone's in my way -- and to stay out of YOUR way! Amen.

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