Following Andrew

Matt 4: 18-22

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

¹⁸ As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ²⁰ At once they left their nets and followed him.

²¹ Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, ²² and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

We divert a bit from our Advent themes of preparation and spiritual renewal to honor the Apostle Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. Always among those who closely accompanied Jesus during his public ministry, it is said that Andrew later preached to Gospel in Greece where he was martyred, and is the patron saint of the Greeks (as well s of the Scots and Russians).  His answer to the invitation of Jesus, "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people," stands as an example for us to walk that same path, be it as lay people, religious or priests.  Anyone who takes Jesus seriously hears the call to follow him daily.  It's not an easy call to answer, for it entails a constant "giving up of self" be it in small or large matters.  It's odd how it's the small things that are the most difficult, while the large and dramatic are the easiest. Whatever today's call is in the circumstances of our families and work places, may the X-shaped cross of Andrew, which legend proposes as his instrument of death, inspire us to give generously and totally of ourselves as Andrew did.

Bro. Rene