Monday, April 8
Today’s Prayer and Reflection:
I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me.
(John 8:18)
When you’re looking for a job, references are extremely important. They can mean the difference between employment and unemployment, or between a great job and a mediocre job. That’s because employers want some evidence that you are a person of integrity and that you will perform well. They want to believe you, your résumé, and the face that you present to them. But they also want a little more certainty—and having someone else back you up is a very helpful way of ensuring that.
In his discussions with the religious leaders of Israel, Jesus was doing something much more serious than applying for a job. He was claiming to be “the light of the world” (John 8:12). He had already told them that God was his Father, but they didn’t believe him (5:18). To them he was a fraud and a threat to their authority. So they tried to trap him by demanding some proof of his claims.
But Jesus was secure and confident, both in who he was and what he had been sent to do. At his baptism and his transfiguration, his Father had already testified on his behalf by calling him his “beloved Son” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5). So there were his two “references”—himself and God. For Jesus, that was all the evidence that mattered.
We can find it difficult to feel confident at times, especially when we face some kind of opposition. We may question the decisions we make as we try to raise our children in a world that doesn’t support our values. When we encounter people who don’t believe in God or who challenge our faith, we may start to doubt ourselves.
When the world outside doesn’t affirm you, it’s clear that your confidence has to come from inside. You need to remember who you are, just as Jesus did. And this is who you are: a child of God. Just as he did with Jesus at his baptism, God testifies on your behalf. He tells you, “You are my beloved son. You are my beloved daughter. You have great dignity in my eyes.” This is the best “job reference” you could ever hope to have!
So the next time you are doubting yourself, look in the mirror—and remember who you are. “Father, may I always remember that I am your beloved child.”
Reprinted with permission of The Word Among Us, 7115 Guilford Dr #100, Frederick, MD 21704, wau.org.
Today’s Announcements:
★ Happy Birthday to Keegan Cuevas and Kaitlyn Mandal!
★ We are taking orders for prom t-shirts until tomorrow for $15. Order forms and money should be given to Mrs. Edwards or Mrs. Collier in the front office. If you have any questions please see Mrs Tavel.
★ Class officer applications are due today at 3:30. Late applications will NOT be accepted. You may turn inapplications to the front office or the Ms. Hebert; Mrs. Buckley is out today. The campaign rules meeting is relocated to Ms. Hebert’s classroom and is at 3pm today. It will take no more than 10 minutes. Campaigning may begin tomorrow. Those who do not follow the campaign rules will have their names removed from the ballot.
★ The Science Honor Society will begin meeting this week to plan the May blood drive. The meetings will have two options: Tuesday mornings in room 201 or Tuesday afternoons in room 202. This week we will be brainstorming themes and committee signups. Remember that your attendance is required for a Science Honor Society cord. Also, the red cord verification forms are available with Mrs.Worrel and Mrs. Lawson. Verification forms are due no later than May 5.
★ Congratulations to all of the students from St. Patrick who attended the State Science Fair on Friday, April 5. Landon Baxter, Molly Bowen, Grace Belk, Mary Catherine Kalil and Todd Fayard all won First Place in their Categories as they represented our school. Molly and Grace also won a special award from the American Society of Psychology. Details will be posted on the website.
★ There will NOT be a robotics meeting today after school.