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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me be honest about school instead of pretending it's perfect. Amen!

Jesus asked the Apostles, "Who do people say I am?" They said, "John the Baptist, Elijah or a prophet." Jesus asked, "But who do you say I am?" Peter had the answer: "You're the Messiah, who'll save the world." Jesus warned them that He'd be hurt for saying He was the Messiah. Peter got worried. Jesus scolded him: "Get away from me, Satan! You're thinking like a person, not like God."

Isn't this school year just perfect? Don't you love every single class, all your teachers and all the other students?

Probably not! You'd be a very unusual person if you thought every person and part of school was perfect. But if you're asked how things are going, do you answer honestly, or do you get uncomfortable and just say, "Good"?

This week's Gospel (Mark 8:27-35) talks about that difference. Jesus has explained who He really is to the Apostles, but when He points out that talking about it will cause some people to get angry (they don't think a carpenter who grew up nearby could be the Son of God), the Apostles worry. Some of them must be thinking, "If you're going to get hurt for saying you're the Messiah, then don't say it!"

Jesus lashes out at them. It's an important lesson: God always says what's true, not what people want to hear. Jesus is sensitive to people's feelings, but He won't lie to impress people or avoid being embarrassed. Some people ask how school is going just to be polite, but most people really want to know -- and if there are things that are upsetting you, it can help to talk with people you trust.

Besides, everyone knows school isn't perfect. Some truths are just obvious -- like the fact that Jesus was the Messiah, sent by God to save the world. He knew everything about God and could do miracles; who else could he possibly be?[[In-content Ad]]

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