Good NewsA39, You Are Peter, 21st Ordinary,August 21, 2005,Matthew 16:13-20,Children's Devotional, Gospel-based, Children's Liturgy, Children's Homily, Catholic, Christian, written by Joan Y. Edwards

Cycle A

Good News A39

You Are Peter

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 16:13-20 New American Bible

Matthew 16:13-20 Bible Gateway New International Version

I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;

and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

The Catholic Church began with the words of Jesus Christ to Simon Peter: “You are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church.” The church is still in here and very much alive today. The present Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church today, just as Simon Peter was in Jesus’ times. If you click on the following link, you can see the names of all of the Popes from Peter up to Pope John Paul II.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12272b.htm

The Catholic Church has been here almost 2000 years. Jesus gave Peter the keys to heaven. By doing this he meant that the sins he forgave would be forgiven. The sins he did not forgive, would not be forgiven. Forgiveness is so important. Knowing God’s commandments is important, too. If you don’t know what the rules are, you won’t know when you have broken them. If you are playing basketball, you have to know the rules or you’ll be out of luck in scoring heavenly points. In football, if you don’t know which way to run with the ball, it will be hard for us to make a touchdown and get into heaven. If you’re playing soccer, you can’t play with our eyes closed and pretend what you don’t know won’t hurt you. It is good to know God’s rules so that you can hit a home run, right up to heaven.

So ask God to show you clearly what his rules are. Be prepared to go to Heaven. Play life’s game by God’s rules. Study his commandments by clicking on the following links:

Exodus 20:1-17 New American Bible

Exodus 20:1-17 Bible Gateway New International Version

http://www.mwt.net/~teiwes/Exodus20.htm

Pray the “Our Father.” When you have trouble following his commandments, ask God to help you get back on the path to heaven. He will do it. He loves you very much and wants you to enjoy eternal life with him in heaven.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”