Last week at recess, I watched as a group of students diligently built small structures out of woodchips, rocks, and other remnants found on the playground. Another student, asking what they were playing, received a prompt clarification: "We're not playing, we're building!"

It seems that, when we are young, our work more easily becomes play, and we often play that we are working. I remember playing many imaginary scenarios of "restaurant," "zoo," "bank," "school," or the various aspects of keeping house. The work of childhood is to play!

This morning before school, I was talking with a parent, who remarked in describing her job, "It's work, but it's fun!" Wow, that is a gift. Sometimes we simply just don't enjoy our job, but it is what we need to do. Or there might be aspects of our job that we don't enjoy. What can we do then? We invite Jesus in--He wants to be a part of each moment of our day--the joys as well as the sorrows.

May Jesus give us childlike hearts to find joy in our work.

Sister Mary Agnes, C.K.