Read or listen to this Sunday’s Mass readings here.

• Isaiah 8:23b—9:3
• 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17
• Matthew 4:12-23

Things weren’t quite the same this morning.  It started the first minute the Pauline children woke up.  The kids were convinced that Mom and Dad were up to something.

It all began innocently enough …

“Mom, can you come help me find my socks?” Mary Clare called out from her bedroom as she woke up.

“Immediately and joyfully!” Mom answered.

Vincent was heard calling from upstairs.  “Dad, I need you to come fix the faucet again!  It’s leaking!”

“Immediately and joyfully!” Dad called back.

During breakfast, Lucy asked Mom for the syrup.

“Immediately and joyfully!” Mom replied.

Hillary needed Dad to help cut up her waffle.

“Immediately and joyfully!” Dad answered her request.

By this time, the Pauline children were looking at each other.  What was going on?  For whatever they asked Mom and Dad this morning, the answer was, “immediately and joyfully”!

Soon it was time for the Gospel reading for this morning.  Dad called the family into the living room.

“Immediately and joyfully!” they answered back in unison, with a twinkle in their eyes.  This was fun!

Dad read the Scripture reading from the book of Matthew, Chapter 4.  The reading talked about Jesus calling the first apostles.  Jesus told the fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James, and John to, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  (Matthew 4:19)

Dad told his family, “The clear message of this Gospel is becoming a follower of Jesus Christ.  Look what the first apostles did!  They immediately abandoned their boats and nets to follow Jesus.  That is what Jesus wants from all of us!  To follow HIM and to do so with joy in our hearts!”

“That’s right!” Mom added.  “Peter, Andrew, James, and John followed Jesus immediately!  So should Martin, Therese, Peter, Mary Clare, Vincent, Lucy, Hillary, and Ben.  Our Lord’s request to spread the Good News should be answered joyfully and immediately!”

“So that’s why you talked like that this morning!” Vincent said. 

“That’s right!” Dad chuckled.  “It was just to give you an example of how we can do even everyday things with the same attitude of service!”

“That was fun, Daddy!” Hillary said.  “Let’s do some more!”

“Okay, then,” Mr. Pauline said to his children.  “Let’s all stand up!”

“Immediately and joyfully!” the Pauline kids yelled out as they leaped to their feet.

“Now, let’s head for the closets and get our coats!”

“Immediately and joyfully!” the children responded as they scurried to the closet.

“Now, let’s all head for Mass!”

“IMMEDIATELY AND JOYFULLY!” everyone agreed.

“You know,” Mr. Pauline said almost in a sigh, “Jesus ALWAYS leads us right!”

And off they went to Mass, immediately and joyfully!

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Try this at home!

For every request made of you today, answer

“IMMEDIATELY AND JOYFULLY!”

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