Weekly Kids’ Reflection in our Parish Bulletins – Comments on these reflections can be sent to heykids23@gmail.com
Hey Kids! Bulletin Article – May 4, 2025
Hey, Kids! – Have you ever done something you have regretted and didn’t have an opportunity to apologize for what you had done? It can be a hard thing to overcome – to hurt someone and then not be able to apologize for or hear that you are forgiven for something you feel bad about. We remember the story of the Passion of Christ; Jesus suffered a great deal during this time. Peter told Jesus before he died that he would never disown him. Jesus told him, “This very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” Peter did not want to believe this was true, but sure enough, what Jesus said became true. When Peter heard the rooster crow, he wept and became very sad. Unfortunately, Jesus died before Peter had a chance to ask Jesus in person for forgiveness, but the story does not end there.
Shortly after Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to his disciples while they were out fishing. He asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him and each time Peter replied, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus instructed Peter to tend and feed his sheep. The sheep Jesus is talking about is us – the people. Jesus was telling Peter that he wanted him to share God’s Word with all of us. Something they don’t really mention in this gospel is how even though Jesus was correct about Peter disowning him, he still forgave Peter.
Jesus understood that Peter was very scared. After all, it was a scary thing to see Jesus suffer so greatly. After Jesus’ death, Peter stayed committed to his love for Jesus. We know he felt horrible for what he did. However, Peter still loved Jesus very much and continued to follow him. Jesus forgave Peter. We know this because Jesus still wanted Peter to spread the Word of God to everyone.
It is important for us to know that God never stops loving us – even when we may question Him. I think the important message here is that it can be hard to follow Jesus. We may not do it well 100% of the time. We may question how things unfold in our lives and wonder where God’s hand is in all the tragedy we see. However, if we continue to focus on Him and we continue to spread the Word of God to others, we will make this world a better place by simply acting like Jesus. Nothing can erase God’s love for us.
Let us pray: Dear God, thank you for loving me no matter what. Help me to care for people by sharing your Word. Help me lead people to you with my words and actions. Amen.
Hey Kids! Bulletin Article – April 27, 2025
Hey, Kids! – Today’s readings really focus on the idea that SEEING IS BELIEVING. We are more inclined to believe something if we see it. If you were outside playing all day in the beautiful sunshine and, once you came indoors, someone told you that it was snowing, you probably wouldn’t believe it, right? We’ve had a few weeks like that recently. It was gorgeous on one day – many of us played outside — and then then next day, it snowed! Many of us took pictures and showed our family and friends because it seemed so unbelievable.
The 1st reading focuses a bit on the signs and wonders that were performed by the apostles. The apostles were Jesus’ close friends and followers. Because of this, many of those who also believed in Jesus continued to follow the apostles. And there were others who were unsure about Jesus but still watched the apostles with respect and admiration. They probably were so surprised because they knew that Jesus died in a horrible way, and yet His followers were not broken or falling apart. In fact, Jesus’ followers were stronger than ever because they had a mission to continue to spread Jesus’ message of love and forgiveness.
The Gospel reading then starts to talk about how Jesus first appeared to his disciples after he had died and rose from the dead. Imagine how his disciples felt after seeing Jesus stand there before them. Jesus gave the special gift of the Holy Spirit by breathing on them. However, his disciple Thomas had a hard time believing that Jesus had returned from the dead.
Thomas said, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Thomas wanted to see and feel before he believed that it was Jesus who rose from the dead. Now this is very important to read and see in the bible. Jesus knew that even his best of friends would have a hard time believing it was Jesus. So he said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Jesus was talking about US here. He knew that we would not be able to see him because he would go back to heaven. We – all of us – and our past and future family members, will have to TRUST that these stories about Jesus are true. The apostles started to write down everything about Jesus so that ALL of us would believe that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God, and through this belief we may have LIFE in his name.
When you invite Jesus into your heart by praying, reading the bible and going to religion classes, you are being blessed for believing in Him without seeing Him. Believe that God is with you always. He hears your prayers and loves you so much. Amen.