Calling Disciples

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.

Fishers Transformed

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 

Called to Bring Good News

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary , the Feast of Saint Andrew, remind us of the zeal that accompanies our response to the Spirit calling us to be agents of the Good News.

Looking to Patron of our Heritage

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans exhorts us to 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).

* [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, 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, 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). (Matthew, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)

Rev. Richard Gabuzda comments that many of us have read a passage of scripture in prayer or heard someone preaching and experienced what we might have called a “resting in the heart.” Perhaps we would describe it as “being struck,” or being convicted or being moved. In all these and other similar experiences, it is the power of the word at work, that is, the Holy Spirit who helps us hear the word and, as a result, brings us to greater faith.

But have we ever considered how, in less formal ways, our words might be vehicles of the Holy Spirit for growing faith in others?? A parent teaching a child to pray, a word of encouragement spoken to a co-worker that infuses faith into a difficult situation, a word of correction gently given, showing someone a new and better way to speak or act—are not all these situations at least potentially times when faith can be grown in others?

Perhaps in our prayer today we might ask the Lord to help us be more mindful of times and circumstances when we have or might be able to help others grow in faith by what we say and by what they hear. (Gabuzda, 2022)

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 when we are faced with a big decision or we sense God calling us to take an important step, the Lord doesn’t mind it if we take our time. In fact, listening to God usually requires time and patience. That’s because we may need to seek the help and prayers of fellow believers who have wisdom and experience in discernment. However, there may also be times, like the one described in this passage, when Jesus makes himself present to us and calls us by name in an especially powerful way. And in those times, we might so desire to be with him that we decide “at once” to follow him, as Andrew did (Matthew 4:20).

Read this Gospel passage again, but this time imagine yourself in Andrew’s place. You are hard at work next to Peter, casting your net into the sea. Then you see Jesus walking along the shoreline. He comes to a stop when he reaches you and calls your name. What is he asking you to do today? How will you respond?

“Jesus, thank you for calling me. St. Andrew, pray that I might become a faithful disciple like you.” (Meditation on Matthew 4:18-22, n.d.)

Friar Juide Winkler discusses the future eschatology of Paul as we believe in our heart to be justified, at peace, with God. We show our oneness with God through works that show our love for others. Friar Jude reminds us of the example of Andrew pointing to how God uses our talents to serve others in the Spirit of the Good News.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Episcopal priest Nontombi Naomi Tutu who finds a vision for the future of Christianity in the wisdom of the Hebrew prophet Amos.

Worship of God is . . . all about how we treat our neighbor, how we deal with the less fortunate, what we do to or for the widow and orphan, and how we treat the stranger in our midst. Amos tries . . . to make it clear to God’s people that the God who created and loves them, expects that their belief in God will challenge them to live lives that mirror God’s love. . . .

It is harder to see this Amos Christianity in the world, but I know it is there and I believe this is actually the more dominant story of Christianity. It is more hidden because it is not flashy or seeking attention. . . . I have seen it in the small parish of St. Thomas, Kagiso, South Africa. When we visited some years ago, the rector at the time, Xolani Dlwati, told us, “We do not do outreach. Everything we do is worship.” This congregation, comprised of predominantly poor families, fed lunch to children in the neighborhood school; bought school books, shoes, and uniforms for children in the community; stood as guardians for families of child-headed households; and made sure that those dying from AIDS had their homes cleaned, were eating healthy food, and knew they were loved. There was no fancy church sanctuary, no glamorous life for the rector, just worship of God that showed, through their caring, what Christianity is all about. . . . (Rohr, 2022)

We are called to activate our God given talents in action that makes Christ present in our environment.

References

Gabuzda, R. (2022, November 28). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/113022.html 

Matthew, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 30, 2022, 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, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/11/30/546057/ 

Psalms, PSALM 19. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/19?8 

Rohr, R. (2022, November 30). The Prophetic Future — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-prophetic-future-2022-11-30/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/10?9 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Will Make You Fishers of People. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=nov30a