Bible
Study: Romans 10, 9 to 18 and Matthew 4, 18 to 22.
The title
of today’s homily may sound funny yet it explains everything about today’s
feast. Andrew is to Advent what the baby Jesus is to Christmas. How? The
beginning of Advent year after year is determined by the Feast of St. Andrew.
That is to say, it is not a coincidence that this feast is celebrated on the 30th
of November and it is also not a coincidence that the Sunday closest to the
Feast of St. Andrew is always going to be the first Sunday of Advent. Does that
ring a bell?
Why does
the feast of St. Andrew announce the beginning of Advent? What is so unique
about Andrew? Andrew was the first person to be called by Jesus to be his disciple
and just like John the Baptist who announced the coming of the Messiah, Andrew
was the one who went to tell his brother Peter about Jesus. Although Matthew
from whose Gospel we read this morning mentions the fact that Jesus called both
Andrew and Peter at the same time, John gives us a more realistic account of
what took place.
John tell
us that two of John the Baptist’s disciples were with him when he saw Jesus one
day an announced: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” These two of his disciples left John
immediately and started following Jesus. John 1, 40 to 42 reads: “One of the
two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He
first found his brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the
Messiah" (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at
him, and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called
Cephas" (which means Peter).”
The moment
Andrew introduced his brother Peter to Jesus, not much is heard about him
again. It was like he just withdrew into the background of the twelve disciples
like a quiet kid while all the limelight and attention went to rather noisy
Peter who eventually became the head of the Apostle.
Just as
Andrew introduced Peter to Jesus, the Feast of St. Andrew stands at such a strategic
point in the Church’s calendar as he continues to be the one introducing the
Church as a whole to the Advent Season; his feast is like the Calendar Marker
that reminds us of the need to start preparing for the Baby Jesus. St. Paul in
today’s first reading says: “How beautiful are the feet of one who brings Good
News.” Indeed, how beautiful were the feet of Andrew when he ran immediately to
tell Simon Peter: “We have found the Messiah.” How beautiful are the feet of
St. Andrew today as he announces to the Church from heaven: “Advent is here!
Prepare your hearts for Jesus!”
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, may my feet only announce Good News. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you.
Fr. Abu.
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