WHEN FRIENDS CHANGE

The beginning of the school year is always a time when kids figure out their friendships. Maybe you'll have all the same friends as last year; maybe you'll add some people to your circle of friends. Sometimes, friends move away, and new kids come to your school, too.

The worst thing, though, is when you think you might lose a friend. Kids fight or change and don't want to be friends any more, but it always feels uncomfortable when friends aren't friends. In fact, that's what this week's Gospel (Matthew 18:15-20) is about.

Arguing with a friend, Jesus said, doesn't always have to end the friendship. He gave His followers (and us) some ideas to try if you're fighting: Talk to the person on your own; get a person who likes both of you to try and help you come to an agreement; get some trusted grownups (like people from your parish) involved.

Not every friendship can be saved. Last year, you might have been really close to someone who loved TV as much as you, but now you're into soccer and don't have time to watch TV!

If you can't find anything else to talk about -- and if the other person isn't trying, anyway -- Jesus said it's okay to let the friendship go. What's important is not to treat people like enemies, even if you can't be friends.

The other thing Jesus wanted us to know is that we're not alone. It can hurt when friends change, but there's one who won't: God. God will always be here for us, whenever we need a friend to turn to. (09-05-02) [[In-content Ad]]