The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, on the Feast of Saint Andrew, resonate with contemplation of the action we are called to based on the transformation of our natural gifts in our relationship with Jesus.
Transform our talents
The reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans declares how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!
* [10:9–11] To confess Jesus as Lord was frequently quite hazardous in the first century (cf. Mt 10:18; 1 Thes 2:2; 1 Pt 2:18–21; 3:14). For a Jew it could mean disruption of normal familial and other social relationships, including great economic sacrifice. In the face of penalties imposed by the secular world, Christians are assured that no one who believes in Jesus will be put to shame (Rom 10:11).1
Psalm 19 praises God’s Glory in Creation and the Law.
* [19:4] No speech, no words: the regular functioning of the heavens and the alternation of day and night inform human beings without words of the creator’s power and wisdom.2
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus calls the First Disciples.
* [4:18–22] The call of the first disciples promises them a share in Jesus’ work and entails abandonment of family and former way of life. Three of the four, Simon, James, and John, are distinguished among the disciples by a closer relation with Jesus (Mt 17:1; 26:37).3
Michael Kavan invites us to reflect on what we can “leave behind” in order to improve our ability to hear the word of God, enhance our faith, and better follow the example that Jesus sets for us.
I do think we are being asked to consider what we need to leave behind in order to eliminate the static and to better hear and then follow God’s word. Sure, these could be possessions – the bigger house, the newer car, more of this or more of that, but I also think about the value of leaving behind grudges, resentment, and jealousy toward others, anger directed outward or inward, addictions – and anything that impedes our ability to hear God’s word and then to follow accordingly.4
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus chooses them for what they can become,” by an anonymous early author from the Greek church.
"'Before he says or does anything, he calls the apostles so nothing may be concealed from them as to Christ's words or works and they may later say in confidence: 'For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard' (Acts 4:20). He sees them not bodily but spiritually, regarding not their appearance but their hearts. And he chooses them not as apostles but because they could become apostles. Just as an artist who sees precious, and not rough-hewn, stones chooses them - not because of what they are but because of what they can become. Like the sensitive artist who does not spurn the unshaped good - so too the Lord, upon seeing them, does not choose their works but their hearts." (excerpt from INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 7, the Greek fathers).5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 4:18-22 notes that out of the many people who did hear about Jesus’ ministry in its earliest days, Andrew had a unique response. Along with his brother, Peter, and their friends, James and John, Andrew left his nets in an extraordinary act of faith. His encounter with Jesus left an imprint that made him willing to let go of everything else so that he could learn more about who this man was.
This Advent, consider praying through one of the Gospels as a way to encounter Jesus. As you contemplate God’s word, see if Jesus is asking you to depart from “business as usual.” Maybe he is asking you to come away to be with him for a while so that you can learn from him. You may not be able to walk with Jesus as Andrew did, but you can walk with him through the pages of the Bible.6
Friar Jude Winkler explains justification and salvation as expressed by Paul. Justification is through faith. Salvation is worked out daily. Friar Jude reminds us that the gifts of God are to build up the Kingdom, not for our self aggrandizement.
The Franciscan Media Saint of the Day website notes little else is said about Andrew, patron Saint of fishermen, Greece, Russia, and Scotland, in the Gospels. Before the multiplication of the loaves, it was Andrew who spoke up about the boy who had the barley loaves and fishes. When the Gentiles went to see Jesus, they came to Philip, but Philip then had recourse to Andrew. Legend has it that Andrew preached the Good News in what is now modern Greece and Turkey and was crucified at Patras on an X-shaped cross.
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.7
Brian McLaren believes that the Spirit of God works everywhere to bring and restore aliveness—through individuals, communities, institutions, and movements. Movements play a special role.
the Hebrew prophets launched a series of movements based on a dream of a promised time . . . a time of justice when swords and spears, instruments of death, would be turned into plowshares and pruning hooks, instruments of aliveness [Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3]. Then came John the Baptist, a bold and nonviolent movement leader who dared to challenge the establishment of his day and call people to a movement of radical social and spiritual rethinking. . . . When a young man named Jesus came to affiliate with John’s movement through baptism, John said, “There he is! He is the one!” Under Jesus’ leadership, the movement grew and expanded in unprecedented ways. . . . It rose again through a new generation of leaders like James, Peter, John, and Paul, who were full of the Spirit of Jesus. They created learning circles in which activists were trained to extend the movement locally, regionally, and globally. Wherever activists in this movement went, the Spirit of Jesus was alive in them, fomenting change and inspiring true aliveness. . . .8
Our life with Jesus is a light to be shared with all people who come into our day.
References
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