Thursday, 30 November 2023. Read Romans 10:9-18, Ps. 19:2-5, Matthew 4:18-22
“As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen.” (Matthew 4:18)
Andrew was the first person to be called by Jesus to be His disciple. In John’s Gospel, Andrew was one of the two disciples of John the Baptist who left him to follow Jesus. This was after John the Baptist announced: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Lesson One: Andrew did not doubt John the Baptist; he had not seen Jesus before or witnessed any miracle but believed. Andrew is a Man of Faith
Like John the Baptist, who announced the coming of the Messiah, Andrew announced the news of the Messiah to his brother Peter. “…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).” (John 1:40-42) Lesson Two: Andrew believed in the principle of sharing. He knew that the Good News about the Messiah was too good to be kept to oneself.
Andrew withdrew to the background when he introduced his brother Peter to Jesus. Lesson Three: Andrew was humble enough to remain in the shadows despite being the first apostle. Silence is golden. The fact that you are not heard or popular does not mean you are lesser than anyone else.
The next time we heard about Andrew was when he introduced a young lad to Jesus, who had five loaves and two fish. Jesus prayed over this food, and about five thousand men ate, and there were twelve baskets full of leftovers. Lesson Four: Andrew believed in the power of small. For him, it is better to begin with the little you have than to start looking out for something big. Andrew was a solution-oriented individual. He had a positive mindset.
Again, when some Greeks sought an audience with Jesus, they met Philip. Philip told Andrew, and together, they went to tell Jesus. (John 12:20-22). Lesson Five: Andrew’s talent was bringing people to Jesus. He had great social skills. Let us ask ourselves: “How many people have I brought to Jesus since I became a Christian?”
In today’s first reading, St. Paul says: “How beautiful are the feet of one who brings Good News.” Indeed, Andrew's feet were beautiful 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!”
Saint of the Day: Saint Andrew the Evangelist. He was born in Bethsaida, Galilee. The first Apostle. A fisherman by trade. Brother of Simon Peter. Follower of John the Baptist. Andrew went through life leading people to Jesus, both before and after the Crucifixion. Missionary in Asia Minor and Greece, and possibly areas in modern Russia and Poland. He was martyred on an x-shaped cross (saltire). He is said to have preached for two days from this cross.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, may my feet only announce Good News. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Andrew, Apostle – Feast. Bible Study: Romans 10:9-18, Ps. 19:2-5, Matthew 4:18-22).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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