The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate our relationship with God and how we share the transformation path we are following with others.
Proclaim Full Life
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans asserts that faith comes from what is heard.
* [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.
* [Psalm 19] The heavenly elements of the world, now beautifully arranged, bespeak the power and wisdom of their creator (Ps 19:2–7). The creator’s wisdom is available to human beings in the law (Ps 19:8–11), toward which the psalmist prays to be open (Ps 19:12–14). The themes of light and speech unify the poem.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
Rev. Richard Gabuzda comments that the growth in faith comes from the experience of people speaking about the One whom they know and love.
Today would be a wonderful day for us to do some serious prayer and reflection on the concrete individuals who have been “apostles” for us, those sent by the Lord to give witness by word and deed to the Lord himself. In addition to marveling at the individuals who have most immediately brought us to deeper faith, we might pause to consider the long line of others who passed on the faith to them. Perhaps we might even dare to imagine who in this long line of our individual faith lives was the first to hear the name “Jesus” and to put faith in him? At every turn, back through decades and even centuries, the reality is the same: faith comes from what is heard. Let us give thanks for all that we have received and ask the grace to be instruments to awaken faith in others in our own day.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 comments that every new revelation deepened Andrew’s faith. Andrew eventually chose to leave his homeland to preach in Asia Minor and Greece, where he made the ultimate sacrifice as a martyr. The same is true for us: every encounter with Jesus can deepen our faith a little bit more. We may experience him reviving us if we’ve become discouraged or indifferent. Maybe he will help us let go of unforgiveness or impatience. Maybe we will experience him strengthening us against temptation. Each blessing will help us follow him better.
It all starts with an encounter, just as it did for Andrew. So remember, it’s not “just another prayer time.” Every time you call on him, every time you go to Mass or Adoration or open your Bible, Jesus is there, waiting. The more you open yourself to his love, the more he will change you. So make time to encounter the Lord today. Listen! He’s calling your name! “Lord Jesus, open my heart to hear your call, today and every day!”6
Friar Jude Winkler discusses justification and salvation as Paul taught to the Romans. Advent is a time for sharing our faith, perhaps in word, but maybe more effectively in action. Friar Jude reminds us of the transformation of talents that God undertakes to bring us to full life.
The Franciscan Media post on St Andrew notes that John the Evangelist presents Andrew as a disciple of John the Baptist. When Jesus walked by one day, John said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Andrew and another disciple followed Jesus. “Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come, and you will see.’ So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day” (John 1:38-39a).
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
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author and Benedictine sister Joan Chittister who invites us to the prayerful inner work necessary to discover the God we really believe in, for the sake of encountering the true and living God.
Until I discover the God in which I believe, I will never understand another thing about my own life. If my God is harsh judge, I will live in unquenchable guilt. If my God is Holy Nothingness, I will live a life of cosmic loneliness. If my God is taunt and bully, I will live my life impaled on the pin of a grinning giant. If my God is life and hope, I will live my life in fullness overflowing forever.8
Tradition has it that St Andrew was martyred on a cross that is now featured on the flag of Nova Scotia, the flag of Scotland, and the Union Jack as Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. Our experience of God in our lives is the seed that the Spirit nudges to transform us as people who proclaim the fullness of life in Christ.
References
No comments:
Post a Comment