Tuesday of the First Week of Advent December 2, 2003 Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 10:21-24 Reflection: Jesus welcomes his disciples back from their first ministry experience with prayers of thanksgiving, happy for them that they have experienced the joy of doing his Father's work. Complimenting them, he says prophets and kings would love to have seen what they have seen and heard what they have heard but his "Father only reveals these things to the childlike." Can't you just hear the quiet settling over the group? Can you see the stunned, quizzical looks on their faces, as the unspoken question emerges, "What is he talking about? Is he comparing us to children?" What is Jesus talking about? Throughout scripture, Jesus uses children to model the qualities that lead us to God. Even Isaiah tells us that when the rule of Emmanuel comes a "little child will guide them." What are these childlike qualities that God is looking for in us? In the busyness of life, what is it that we are overlooking; what is it that we are not hearing in order to be disciples? Suggested Action: One of the Weston Priory songs is titled "Each Morning You Wake Us to Hear." The rest of that first line in the song is "to listen like a disciple." Take time today to "listen" and see through childlike eyes. Sr. Helen Ann Charlebois, IHM Syracuse, New York

What are the childlike qualities that God is looking for in us? Graphic: Sr. Patricia Woll, IHM Scranton, Pennsylvania