Come After Me

November 30, 2007

Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring (the) good news!” Romans 10:13-15

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20

Piety

How beautiful are the feet of those that bring the good news!

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/113007.shtml

As we get ready to begin Advent, it is fitting that we end this year reflecting on the call and mission of St. Andrew. According to today’s reading, Andrew was St. Peter’s brother, and was called with him. In the Gospel of John, Andrew is a disciple of John the Baptist. When Jesus walked by one day, John said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Andrew and another disciple followed Jesus.

St. Gregory reminds us that “they had not yet seen [Jesus] work one miracle, or heard any mention of an eternal reward, and yet one word from the Lord was enough to make them forget all their possessions. They gave up “even their desire to possess anything.”

The American Catholic article on Andrew explains that, “As in the case of all the apostles except Peter and John, the Gospels give us little about the holiness of Andrew. He was an apostle. That is enough. He was called personally by Jesus to proclaim the Good News, to heal with Jesus' power and to share his life and death. Holiness today is no different. It is a gift that includes a call to be concerned about the Kingdom, an outgoing attitude that wants nothing more than to share the riches of Christ with all people.”

The call of Andrew connects us to the message reinforced throughout this ending liturgical cycle and presents with us the challenge of Advent…to respond personally to the summons we get from Jesus by hearing the message, obeying the message and acting on the message. Advent is a season of following. Andrew and Peter follow. Joseph follows his instructions from both Gabriel (to stick by his wife) and Caesar (to report for the census). The shepherds and kings follow a star to the stable in Bethlehem.

Action

“The Lord looks to your heart, not to your fortune,” explains St. Gregory the Great. “The Kingdom of God costs whatever you have.”

Jesus wants us to follow him. What nets can you leave behind so you can follow him?

As Andrew was called to spread the Good News, what are you preparing to do to spread the Good News.

The voice that goes forth to all the earth is now in our throats. To whom will you proclaim that message?