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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me be patient about growing up slowly! Amen.

Jesus went up a mountain to pray with Peter, James and John. But as He prayed, Jesus' clothes got brighter and brighter, until the Apostles couldn't look at Him! Moses and Elijah appeared, and a voice from heaven said, "This is my chosen Son. Listen to Him." Then the light faded, and the Apostles were alone with Jesus.

Growing up can feel like it's taking forever. Adults always comment that you've gotten taller or older, but it's hard to feel different when your bedtime hasn't changed, you still get grounded for bad behavior and every school day seems the same.

Most of the time, change happens slowly. That's why this week's Gospel (Luke 9:28-36) is so unusual: The Apostles get to see Jesus change all at once!

For a kid, growing up usually means that every year, you have to get another size of jeans, that homework gets more complicated and that your parents let you go more places without them. It's hard to look way into the future and imagine yourself with a job and home of your own.

For Jesus, things sped up a lot. He only had a few years to teach people about God before He went back to heaven, so His growing and changing happened quickly. He found good friends, took them into His trust and even showed them a glimpse of what He might look like in heaven - and then God the Father confirmed that Jesus really was the Son of God.

In some ways, it's a relief that growing up takes a while. Even if you feel impatient, you wouldn't want to see your future. You'd lose all the fun of discovering what you want to do!

But Jesus had to not just "grow up" quickly Himself; He had to help His Apostles grow, too, so they could take over for Him someday. When He suddenly turned as bright as the sun in front of them, it was not just a look into the future (we call His change the "transfiguration"); it was a tiny peek at heaven. That's one part of the future it's OK to think ahead about![[In-content Ad]]

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