Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans 10:9-18; Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11; Matthew 4:18-22

As one of the original Twelve Apostles, Saint Andrew (C. 5 AD-+60 AD) certainly deserves a feast day of his own. However, we know very little about what sets Andrew apart from the other eleven. According to the Gospels, we learn that he was Simon Peter’s brother and that he was from Bethsaida and later joined the household with Simon and Simon’s mother-in-law in Capernaum. According to the Gospel of Saint John (1:35-41), Andrews was a disciple of John the Baptist, who introduced him to Jesus as the Lamb of God. After spending an afternoon with Jesus, Andrew told his brother that he had met the Messiah.

The original twelve disciples model for us what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Saint Paul’s description of evangelization in Romans Chapter 10 helps us understand our own call to be some kind of apostle (messenger) and evangelist (carrier of Good News.) Unfortunately, many leave that dimension of discipleship to those formally ordained to carry out that task; bishops, priests, and deacons. However, we must remember that our baptism and confirmation affirm that we are called to share in the mission of Jesus as prophet, priest, and king. Essentially, Saint Paul in Romans chapter 10 tells us that living the prophetic role of an evangelist means actually talking about Jesus and of our faith in Him.

Friends, Saint Andrew, and the rest of the apostles were first called to follow Jesus and simply be with Him. If speaking with people about Christ seems odd and unnatural to us, it may be that we have skipped the following and being with the Jesus part. Yet there are obvious ways to follow and be with Jesus; by pondering the life of Jesus and teachings within Sacred Scripture, praying about and to Jesus as our Risen Lord, being with others who are obviously motivated by their own method(s) of following Jesus.

When the ways I have suggested of following and being with Jesus begin with Jesus as the central focus of our lives, we will learn to serve others in His name and lead the life of a modern day apostle.

Question of the Day: How will you share your faith with others as Saint Andrew and the apostles did?

Prayer: Blessed Saint Andrew, first of the Apostles, we ask that by your example and intercession to become faithful disciples of Jesus as we to announce the Kingdom of God to all who we meet. Amen