Say 'I love you' a lot

Nothing feels better than hearing someone say, "I love you." Little kids know that, because they say it all the time. Your cousin yells that he loves you because you played with him; a little girl tells a boy at school, "I love you. Will you marry me?"

For some kids, the older they get, the less they say, "I love you." But in this week's Gospel (Mark 1:7-11), Jesus teaches us that it's important for all of us to say those special words: kids, grownups and even God.

When it was time for Jesus to start His work, He went to John the Baptist in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan River. As soon as Jesus came out of the water, the Holy Spirit came down from heaven in the shape of a dove, and a voice said: "You are my own beloved Son, and I'm pleased with you."

Little kids say, "I love you" a lot because they don't worry about what those words mean. They just love everyone! But older kids might feel embarrassed: "Everyone will think he's my boyfriend!"..."If the kids in my class heard me, they'd think I was a baby!"

But one thing that never embarrassed Jesus was saying, "I love you." He told everyone He met how much God loved them -- and never thought He was too old to say, "I love you."

Even if you squirm at saying, "I love you," you know it feels good to hear those words. If someone teased you, your mom's hug and her saying, "I know it hurts. I love you," makes you feel better.

In the Gospel story, Jesus was just about to start His teaching. He knew He would meet lots of people who didn't like Him, and He'd have to suffer a lot. He must have been scared!

But God the Father knew just what to do. "You're my Son, someone I love very much. I'm so proud of you!" God told Jesus, and Jesus got up and went to start His work.

When someone says they love you, do you feel better -- or do you say, "That's silly!"? And which answer do you think Jesus would find silly?

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me to say, "I love you" and feel good about it! Amen.

(01-09-97)

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