Weekly Kids’ Reflection in our Parish Bulletins – Comments on these reflections can be sent to heykids23@gmail.com
Hey Kids! Bulletin Article – February 23, 2025
Hey, Kids! – Have you ever had mercy on someone? Mercy is when you have compassion or forgiveness for someone who has wronged you in some way, and yet you choose to let it go and move on. It sounds easy when you read it, but have you ever really tried? Have you loved someone when they are mean to you? Have you forgiven someone when they have hurt you? Have you given someone a gift without expecting something in return?
These all sound a little upside down and opposite of how most of us live. God wants me to love and forgive someone that has hurt me? He wants me to give without wanting something in return? How is that possible and why? Let’s think about that. How do you feel when someone hurts you? Think about the emotions that you feel. Sad, angry, hurt are a few emotions that come to mind. Those are all emotions that make us feel down.
God doesn’t want you to feel down; He wants you to feel up! It doesn’t mean that we should allow people to hurt and take advantage of us. What it means is that we have the ability to control our feelings, and how we handle situations and people. Now think about the times you have been treated nicely, or been forgiven for doing something wrong, or given a gift without the giver wanting something back? How does THAT feel? What emotions do you feel? Happy, loved and grateful are what come to mind. Those are all positive feelings.
When people hurt us, it is incredibly hard to let it go. But when we react with LOVE and MERCY – it helps us heal and to feel good. It is ok to feel ALL the emotions listed – but how we act is what is most important.
Imagine this: A little girl hits a little boy. The little boy hits her back. She hits him again. He hits her back again. This cycle continues on and on, and they just end up crying because they are both hurt. Now imagine this: A little girl hits a boy. The boy says, “Please stop. I care about you. Don’t treat me like that. Be nice.” And he gives her a hug. It’s safe to think that the little girl would stop her bad behavior. But the main thing is that the little boy stopped the cycle of being mean. He chose to be kind, patient and loving. He chose to act like Jesus.
Let’s remember to say this prayer: “Gentle and loving God, help me to be patient, kind and loving at all times, just like you are with me. Help me to forgive those that have hurt me – just like you forgive me when I hurt you. Thank you for always having mercy on me. I love you, Jesus!”
Hey Kids! Bulletin Article – February 16, 2025
Hey, Kids! – Bubbles. I love bubbles and experiencing them floating in the air. I am sure that everyone has experienced the joy of blowing bubbles. It is amazing to me that something so simple could bring so much happiness to so many people. It isn’t just for kids either! I have even seen teenagers and adults laughing and having fun blowing bubbles and trying to catch them. There is just one problem with the happiness that comes from blowing bubbles; it doesn’t last! The minute you reach out and touch one of the bubbles, it pops. Many times, we chase the bubble, but sometimes it’s just out of reach, and as soon as it touches the ground, the bubble bursts. I think this is the way it is in the lives of many people today. A lot of people are chasing after happiness but, like bubbles, happiness is always just out of reach. Or just when we think we have it, our bubble may burst. What are some of the things that people are chasing in their search for happiness?
- Money: Many people think that money will bring them happiness. But once you spend it, it’s gone.
- Food: Many people seek happiness in food. They eat because they are sad, depressed or bored; they think that food will make them feel better, and it may work for a little while, but usually does not last.
- Entertainment: Many people think laughing and having a good time is the same thing as being happy, but it isn’t.
- Popularity: Some people think that being popular will bring them happiness. They will do anything to make other people like them, but popularity doesn’t last. It’s here today and gone tomorrow. There is no lasting happiness in popularity.
Jesus knew that people often looked for happiness in the wrong places. He even suggested that we might be happier if we were poor, hungry, crying and disliked by others. Why would Jesus suggest such a thing? Because when we are poor, it may be easier for us to trust in God to supply everything we need, instead of depending on our own wealth. When we are hungry for God and His righteousness, we realize that only He can satisfy our hunger. When we are crying, we can trust in God to comfort us and ease our pain. When we think we have no friends, we have a friend in Jesus. Jesus is a friend who will never leave us.
Do you want to find happiness in life? Don’t spend your time chasing bubbles that eventually will pop. Look to your Heavenly Father. He is the source of true happiness.
Let’s Pray: Dear Father, help us to realize that true happiness comes when You are in our lives. You alone are the source of true happiness. Amen.