No losers to Jesus

To Jesus, you are a winner. When He was on earth, He met lots of people -- adults and kids -- who weren't happy. Some didn't like the king who ruled their people; others hated being poor. They all wanted to be winners for a change! But in this week's Gospel (Matthew 5:1-12), Jesus says to look at things differently.

"Be happy if you have to work hard to stay close to God," said Jesus. "God's kingdom, heaven, belongs to you. Don't worry if you're sad; God will comfort you. Be happy if you're humble and want to follow God; God will be close to you. Be happy if you forgive other people; God will forgive you. Be happy if you work for peace; you'll be called children of God! Even if people hurt you for believing in God, be happy, because you'll go to heaven."

It's harder when you aren't picked, when you try hard and no one knows about it or cheers you on. That's how the people in the Gospel story felt sometimes about trying to be good: Why should they bother, if no one but God would notice?

Even when you win, the cheering doesn't last forever. Other people will win other contests; after a while, your special day will be a memory. But God never, ever forgets!

That's what Jesus wanted to remind us: that being good is worth it, even when it doesn't feel that way. Jesus said when you're getting picked on, when you're sad or struggling, God notices how hard you're trying to get through it. And someday, God will cheer you on in a special way -- by welcoming you to heaven!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me be happy when I win -- and when I don't! Amen.