Second chances help

Jesus was a big believer in second chances. In this week's Gospel (John 4:5-42), He even convinces someone who thinks He's an enemy to give Him another chance!

Jesus met a Samaritan woman getting water from a well. "Give me a drink," Jesus said to her. "You're Jewish -- your people don't like mine. Why ask me for a drink?" the woman said. Jesus answered, "I could give you living water." Then He told the woman all about her life, so she believed in Him. When she told friends, they followed Jesus, too.

That's how the Samaritan woman felt. Her people had been enemies of the Jews (the religion Jesus was raised in) for ages. She figured Jesus hated her and they shouldn't even try to get along.

If you get a second chance -- and even a third and fourth one -- you might find you get better at things, whether it's doing math or getting along with someone. Knowing you can try again gives you hope that you'll do better.

Jesus helped the Samaritan woman understand that. She didn't even want to give Him a drink at first, but He did a miracle by telling her secret things about her life. Then she gave Him a second chance -- she believed He was God and that they could be friends instead of enemies. Second chances, Jesus taught, can really help us grow!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me look for second chances to like people and learn things! Amen.