Reflection/Homily for Thursday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time. Feast of St. Andrew (Apostle) 30th November 2023

Reflection/Homily for Thursday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time.  Feast of St. Andrew (Apostle) 30th November 2023

Romans 10:9-18. Psalm 19:2-3,4-5. Matthew 4:18-22. 

St. Andrew, the brother of St. Peter was a native of the town of Bethsaida in Galilee and a fisherman by profession. Being first a disciple of St. John the Baptist, according to St. John's Gospel, he later joined Jesus and also brought Simon his brother to Jesus.

According to today's Gospel, Andrew was among the very first disciples of Jesus to be called to become Apostles. He was called together with his brother, Peter. In calling them, Jesus promised to make them fishers of men (cf.Matt.4:19). Immediately, they left their nets and followed him (Jesus)" (Matt.4:20). It is most probably they don't know what they were in for in following Jesus, but we can say that the immediacy of their response could save as an example of how to perceive true treasure in the ne life that our Lord is giving to us Christians.

If truly we know what Christian life is about, we would not hesitate to answer our Lord's call for any ministry or duty He desires of us.

Vocation to the priesthood, religious life, marriage, or the call to be a Christian is from God. Jesus, in today's Gospel, determined the future of those He called by empowering them to be fishers of men. We, too, are called by the virtue of our baptism to go and make Jesus known to all and sundry. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with grace, strength, and courage to proclaim the Gospel, the good news of our salvation.

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

Through the intercession of St. Andrew, may God grant us the grace to boldly proclaim the Gospel with our words and deeds through Christ our Lord. Amen.