The Feast of St Andrew the Apostle

Rom. 10:9-18, Mt. 4:18-22. Today, we celebrate the Feast of Andrew the Apostle, one of the Twelve Apostles of Christ and brother of Peter, the Vicar of Christ. In calling Andrew to be a disciple, Jesus reveals the mind of God in inviting people for His mission. Contrary to the practice of the Jewish rabbis, Jesus chooses His disciples rather than the disciples choosing the master. The Jewish rabbis accept only the best and the brightest candidates as their disciples because it would bring them prestige, power and wealth in their lives. Whereas Jesus chooses illiterate fishermen and offered them hardships, persecution and death. After Andrew stayed with Jesus and learned much from Him, He did not keep this treasure to Himself, but hastened to share it with his brother as recounted in today's Gospel.

We reflect on what Andrew said to Peter: "We have found the Messiah." They show the power of the master who convinced them of this truth. The words of Andrew reveal a soul waiting with utmost longing for the coming of the Messiah, looking forward to His appearing from Heaven. To support one another in the things of the spirit is the true sign of good will between brothers, loving kinship and sincere affection. Andrew lend his ears to the words of Jesus. He let the powerful words of Jesus change Him. He laid His life bare before God who wanted to use Him for His mission. The darkness and emptiness of His life gave way to a sense of mission and the joy of being a constructor of God’s world. Andrew inspires our availability and commitment to the Lord and to trustingly go wherever He leads us.

May the Lord help us to live out our faith in sincerity of heart and be authentic witnesses of Christ! Amen!! Remain safe and have a fruitful week!!!