In my religious education classes in primary school, very trusting relationships often develop with the children. They tell me honestly how they feel. The message of Jesus' infinite, unlimited love often touches them deeply, too good to be true, especially in these chaotic times. A few months ago, a schoolgirl said: "Everything about me is a mistake. What is Jesus supposed to love about me?" After many small steps, she gave me a picture in which she painted the path from her doubts to her faith in God's love. This was very touching for me to see her deep happiness.
A boy in my class with a wild temperament can hardly be taught anymore. His parents can hardly handle him anymore and have expressed their wish to give him away. This has deeply hurt and unsettled him. A few days ago, he unexpectedly brought a cross to the religion class. He always said, "Nobody likes me!" and therefore did not want to believe that I liked him very much. He didn't want to believe that Jesus loved him when his own parents wanted to give him up. When he gave me the cross, there was hope in it: "Maybe there is a God after all who would not send me away, who can bear me and even love me as I am." We put the cross in the middle and the other children each put a beautiful stone with it and named an idea of how they could help bring love into the world. The boy was very proud and happy because his cross was in the middle and he could also do something for Jesus.
