Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Andrew. Andrew was an Apostle, the brother of Simon Peter. The word “apostle” means “one who is sent.” In the first reading today from Romans 10, St. Paul asks, “And how can people preach unless they are sent?” He then goes on to quote from Isaiah 52: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!” St. Andrew had some beautiful feet!
In John’s Gospel, we read that Andrew was the one who brought his brother Simon to Jesus. But that differs slightly from the account we read in today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 4. Jesus simply walks up to Simon and Andrew, who are part of a family fishing business, and says, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They dropped everything to follow Jesus. This gives us glimpse into the faith of St. Andrew.
As a guy with two brothers growing up (only one surviving brother), I look forward to meeting St. Andrew and asking him some questions. Would he have left the family business if Jesus had called only him? Was there ever any jealousy being the brother of Peter, the Prince of the Apostles? If someone messed with you as a kid, did Peter come and stick up for you? And finally, who was a better fisherman, you or your brother? (Something tells me I know how he would answer that one!)
Father, we thank you for the faith and the witness of St. Andrew. May we, too, be willing to lead our family members to Jesus, and drop everything to follow Him. Amen.
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