SCHOOL STARTS SOON

School is starting soon. That means you're gearing up to do all the things you didn't do all summer -- like seeing friends at school, doing homework and taking tests. You might even feel out of practice and wonder if you can still do those things.

Everybody forgets things when they get out of practice. In this week's Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20), the Apostles even forget who Jesus is after being around Him every day!

Since you haven't taken a test or done homework all summer, it probably seems a little strange to think about doing those things soon. It's been a long time since you were in school.

It doesn't take long to forget some things. The Apostles didn't have that reason to forget what Jesus taught; they listened to Jesus talk about being the Son of God every day -- and they still forgot!

As soon as you start school, you'll remember how to do all the things you think you forgot. You know how to do homework; it's just been a while since you did any.

In the Gospel story, the Apostles hadn't really forgotten who Jesus was, either. They talked about all the wrong things other people said -- but then Peter said, "You're the Son of God." Peter might have been out of practice, but he still knew his stuff!