Wednesday 30th November 2022. 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 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 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 tells us that two of John the Baptist’s disciples were with him when he saw Jesus one day and announced: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” These two of his disciples left John immediately and followed Jesus.
John 1:40-42 reads: “One of the two who heard John speaks 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 was 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 a 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: Heavenly Father, may my feet only announce Good News. Through 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 Abu