SAINT ANDREW: THE APOSTLE OF CHRIST

SAINT ANDREW: THE APOSTLE OF CHRIST

FEAST DAY: 30 NOVEMBER 

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew, brother of Saint Peter and one of the twelve apostles.

“He (Jesus) 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. And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him” (Matthew 4:18-20; RSV).

Even during his time as a fisherman, Andrew yearned for God. According to the Gospel of John, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist and John directed him to Jesus. When Jesus walked by one day, John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36). Andrew and the other disciple heard him say this and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” And they said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to hem, “Come and see” (John 1:37-38). After spending only one day with the Lord, Andrew became convinced that Jesus was the Christ. Immediately he found his brother Peter, and brought him to Jesus, saying: “We have found the Messiah” (see John 1:35-41).

Little else is said about Andrew in the Gospels. Before the multiplication of the loaves, it was Andrew who spoke up about the boy who had the barley loaves and fishes (see John 6:8-9). When the Gentiles went to see Jesus, they came to Philip, but Philip then had recourse to Andrew (see John 12:20-22).

Andrew responded eagerly to God’s call. He was quick to share the Good News with others, beginning with his own family. After one brief encounter with the Lord, we see that Andrew was filled with apostolic zeal. He devoted the rest of his life to announcing the Gospel to those who had never heard it. Legend has it that Andrew preached the Good News in what is now modern Greece and Turkey and was crucified at Patras.

We (you and I) too are called to be apostles in our own way. Every day, the Lord gives us opportunities to preach, to encourage, and to be living testimonies to the power of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps – like Andrew – our apostolate will begin with our families. Perhaps it will extend to close friends or co-workers. Perhaps God will call us to the ends of the earth. Whatever the case, He calls all of us to share in the privilege of announcing the Gospel to the world.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, enkindle in our hearts the fire of Your love, that we might declare – along with St. Andrew and all your faithful apostles – that Jesus is Lord, that all who call in His name will be saved, and that none who believe in Him will ever be put to shame. Amen.

Jakarta, 30 November 2015 

A Christian Pilgrim