Simon Says, "Follow the Leader!"

 

Have you ever played Follow the Leader? First, we pick the leader. Then, everyone else lines up behind the leader. The leader then moves around and all the followers have to copy the leader’s actions. Anyone who fail to follow or do what the leader does is out of the game. When only one person other than the leader remains, that player becomes the leader, and the game begins again with all players joining the line once again.

Have you ever played Simon Says? In this game, one person is Simon and tells the others to do something, like jump in the air or stick out your tongue, but you only follow the commands that begin with “Simon Says.”

If you follow a command where Simon does not say “Simon Says,” you’re out. If you do not follow a command immediately after he says “Simon Says,” you’re out. The winner is the last player who has successfully followed all of the given commands.

Our Gospel gives us a choice to play Simon Says or Follow the Leader. Peter is playing Simon Says and Jesus is asking people to Follow Him, the Leader.

If we choose to do what Simon says that may be easier, but it won’t lead us to our Father in Heaven. If we follow Jesus, it may be harder, but only that will lead us to our Father in Heaven.

A lot of people choose what’s easier and fewer people choose what’s harder, but more rewarding. I am hoping you always choose to follow Jesus.

With that, let us pray. Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named: Bless these and all children, and give their parents the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.