The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Feast of St. Andrew, challenge us to be disciples who proclaim the Life in Christ in our love and action.
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans exhorts us to confess Jesus as Lord.
* [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).
* [10:14–21] The gospel has been sufficiently proclaimed to Israel, and Israel has adequately understood God’s plan for the messianic age, which would see the gospel brought to the uttermost parts of the earth. As often in the past, Israel has not accepted the prophetic message; cf. Acts 7:51–53.
* [10:15] How beautiful are the feet of those who bring [the] good news: in Semitic fashion, the parts of the body that bring the messenger with welcome news are praised; cf. Lk 11:27. (Romans, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)
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. (Psalms, PSALM 19 | USCCB, n.d.)
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).
* [4:20] Here and in Mt 4:22, as in Mark (Mk 1:16–20) and unlike the Lucan account (Lk 5:1–11), the disciples’ response is motivated only by Jesus’ invitation, an element that emphasizes his mysterious power. (Matthew, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
Larry Hopp shares that our Lord has indeed offered us His promise of a Spirit that produces a life that points to Jesus. We simply need to grasp that path with all our heart, mind and soul. We are clearly told why this is so important and we are provided with the amazing truth that we simply must share. Be amazed with all that God can do through you using your unwavering faith in Jesus.
Dear Heavenly Father, a Life focused upon your glorious Spirit can be so incredibly powerful. Open my heart to be ever aware of that power and to have the courage to effectively use it to make a difference - to point others to you - to help them grasp the eternal peace and joy that can only be found through you. Thank you Father for your never ending love and guidance. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen (Hopp, 2024)
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). (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 4:18-22 comments that for Andrew, the implications of that first call kept unfolding day after day. After Pentecost, it took him to Ukraine, Russia, and Byzantium to preach the good news—until he was eventually crucified in Achaea, Greece. He probably never suspected the honor he would one day receive as an apostle and saint.
Today, think about a time when you “left your nets” and said yes to the Lord. How has that call changed over time? How is it the same? On this feast of St. Andrew, thank God for the grace you received to say yes. Then ask for the grace to keep answering his call, wherever it may lead you.
“Lord, I want to follow you!” (Meditation on Matthew 4:18-22, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the Romans passage that urges us to confess with our mouth and trust in God for our justification through faith that brings peace. We work out our faith in good works and await salvation as Paul expresses at the end of time. Friar Jude reminds us that our talents are not for self aggrandizement but God transforms them to a higher level to serve the Kingdom.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, recalls that when preaching on this parable of the “rich fool” in 1951, Howard Thurman (1899–1981) posed these questions to his listeners:
Therefore, Jesus raises with awful insistence: What would I give in exchange for my life? Do I give my money, my things? Am I so attached to them that to detach myself from them is equivalent to destroying myself? Or is it possible for me to put at the disposal of [others] the fruits of my labor, bearing in mind that everything that I have, I have it because of a lot of other people’s work, a lot of other people’s labor, a lot of other people’s sacrifice, a lot of other people’s self-denial?…
Are you willing to put the resources of your mind at the disposal of trying to work out the most creative way by which you can live your life, placing your possessions at the disposal of that to which you are committed? And the degree to which you are able to do that, you will find peace of mind and freedom of soul.
What about it? Are you willing to try it? See what happens. (Rohr, n.d.)
We reflect today, the Feast of St Andrew, on how we have responded to our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader to inspire our acceptance of the transformation of our skills to be workers in the vineyard of the Lord.
References
Hopp, L. (2024, November 30). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved November 30, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/113024.html
Matthew, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/4?18
Meditation on Matthew 4:18-22. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 30, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/30/1139980/
Psalms, PSALM 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/19?8
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Parables: Stories from Jesus: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 30, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/parables-stories-from-jesus-weekly-summary/
Romans, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/10?9
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 30, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov30a
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