THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CORNER.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 27, Issue 3, 1 March 1937, Page 5

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CORNER.

Diocesan Office, Napier. Dear Girls and Boys, Have you ever taken part m a treasure hunt? What fun it is setting off to find the hidden treasure^ and how excited we get when we feel that we must be near it. And yet, do you know, we can all take part m a treasure hunt which brings the greatest of all treasures into our possession. Many, many years ago a boy ran excitedly into his little village home m Capernaum and said, "Mother, please give me some lunch. I want to go round to the other side of the lake." Quite soon he was off at a half-run, with a bag slung on his back, round the hilly road which led to the opposite shore. Every now and then he glanced anxiously at a tiny boat out on the water and Tie longed to reach the shore before it.

As he ran he passed many people who were all going his way, but he hurried on, eager to be there. Who Was he looking for?

He knew that m the boat with His friends was Jesus, the great teacher. Often he had listened to Him and he had seen, too, the kind and loving ways m which Jesus helped the village people who he knew so well. Always as he listened and watched something m him seemed to reach out towards Jesus. At last the boy arrived at the beach, but he was not the first; great crowds were there. Slowly he watched the boat approach and his eyes shone as he saw his Hero, strong, brown and good to look upon, step out of the boat on to the shore. All day he sat near Jesus and always he kept his eyes on His face. How strong, how fine, how kind and pure it was. Then he noticed a stir among His friends and he heard one whisper, "We have no bread." Quickly he pulled off his bag, dived m and brought out his lunch, only a small one, but what did that matter? Tugging the sleeve of one of the friends of Jesus, he said, "Give Him my lunch; it's small, but it is all I have." The friend smiled and turned' to His Master,' saying, "There is a lad here with five barley loaves and two small fishes, but what are they among so many?" Then Jesus said, "Make them all sit down." He took the boy's lunch, and as He did He smiled, at "nim. The boy's heart was won — he had found his treasure. It was FRIENDSHIP with JESUS. He gazed m awe at His- new-found Friend who, with his lunch, fed all those crowds. That night he had a wonderful story to tell his mother and father. I think the giving of his lunch to Jesus was only a begnning for that boy. I. like to think that when he grew up he learned to give himself and all he had to help the work of Jesus m the world. You see it all 'began m such a small way, didn't it? But it brought him a Priceless Treasure. Have you found that treasure? Look back m the sfory to find out what it is? I hope you have made a beginning even if it is only a small one. The

wonderful thing is that Jesus wants every one of us to have His Friendship. How happy He will be if you are trying this Lent to get to know and love Him better, and to grow more like Him. And you know how to do ?that, don't. you? First, when you talk to Him m your prayers, telling Him just what you would tell your very best friend. He listens, He cares and He helps. Then when you read about Him m your your Bibles. There you will learn how much He cares about you and how much He wants your gift of friendship. Before I write again Holy Week will have begun. It begins on Palm Sunday, which is on March 21st. During that week we try to think a great deal about the happenings m the last week of Our Lord's life on earth. If you would like to read something about that week each day m Holy Week you can use this guide. Palm Sunday: St. Mark, eh. 11, verses I—lo. Monday m Holy Week: St. John, eh. 13, s verses I—s. Tuesday: St. Matthew, eh. 26, verses 26 — 28. Wednesday: St. Matthew, eh. 26, Verses 36—50. Thursday: St. Luke, eh. 23, verses 13—25. Good Friday: St. Luke, eh. 23, verses 33—47. Saturday: St.. Luke, eh. 23, verses 50 — 56. Easter Sunday: St. Matthew, eh. 28, verses i— 10, 16 — 20. How glad you will all be to start school again! May God bless you all as you begin your new year at school. Your friend, D. M. BEATTIE.