HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF ST. ANDREW (APOSTLE)

Homily for the Feast of St. Andrew (Apostle)

Romans 10:9-18; Matthew 4:18-22.

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter was a native of Bethsaida and a fisherman like his brother, whom he introduced to the Lord (cf.John 1:42). He was a disciple of John the Baptist and one of the first to become a disciple of Jesus. With Philip he presented the Gentiles to Jesus (cf.John 12:20-22) and, before the miracle in the desert, it was Andrew who pointed out to Jesus the boy carrying the loaves and the fish (cf.John 6:8-9).

In the First Reading, St. Paul encourages us to be ready preachers of God's word because through it will people come to hear and know about the wonderful works and love of God in Christ Jesus, believe in him and so be saved.

In today's Gospel, Jesus was beginning his public ministry and does this by calling his first four disciples, Andrew, Peter, James and John and Jesus invited them to give their work a different configuration: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matt.4:20). They left everything to become fishers of men.

Just like Andrew and his companions left everything to follow Christ, we are likewise invited to be available for the Lord's work, abandoning the things that hinder us from responding to Christ's call. The question to ponder is: to what extent are we witnessing to the good news to our family, friends and wherever life leads us? Like St. Andrew, are we leading other people to Christ with our way of living?

According to Sts. Gregory Nazianzen and Jerome, he also laboured in Greece. It is even believed that he carried the Gospel as far as Russia and Poland, and he preached at Byzantium. He suffered martyrdom at Patras in Achaia, and, according to ancient authorities, by crucifixion on a cross in form of an X.

The body of St. Andrew was taken to Constantinople in 357 and deposited in the Church of the Apostles, built by Constantine the Great. In 1270, when the city fell into the hands of the Latins, the relics were transported to Italy and deposited in the Cathedral of Amalfi.

May God through the intercession of St. Andrew grant us the grace to lead others to Him through our holy way of life through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have a blessed day!