Feast of St. Andrew

November 30, 2018
Friday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time
St. Andrew, Apostle1st Reading: Rom 10:9–18
Gospel: Mt 4:18–22

As Jesus walked by the lake of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He went on from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John in a boat with their father Zebedee,mending their nets. Jesus called them. At once they left the boat and their father and followed him.

D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)

Have you led anyone to God? St. Andrew did. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake. This is Matthew’s version. St. John’s version provides an interesting detail. In John’s version, Simon came to know about Jesus only through Andrew. The following day Andrew brought him to Jesus. It was then that Jesus said to Simon, “You are to be called Peter – meaning Rock” (John 1: 42). Simon was a “good catch” and Andrew must be given the credit. He deserves to be called fisher of man. Simon was a real big catch, for Peter was to become the head of Christ’s Church on earth.

In the experience of Andrew we realize that one need not do more than bring other people to God. But there is more to it than meets the eye. The job of bringing people to Jesus requires a witnessing that inspires people. But one appears inspiring only when his testimony is a reflection of his life. This requires deep spirituality. Andrew’s testimony about Jesus must have been very inspiring that he did not find any problem bringing Simon along to Jesus. Jesus did the rest.

If we are to be fishers of men as Andrew was, we must cultivate an intimate relationship with God so that our encounter with Him may empower our testimonies with the kind of credibility that attracts people to God. Cultivating an intimate relationship with Jesus takes all our heart, our mind and our soul because one cannot be half-baked in his self-dedication to the God. When one’s commitment to God is compromised with some deeds of darkness, the resulting lukewarm relationship with God results to scandal that drives others away from God. God himself will vomit us (Revelations 3:15). We too are called to bring people to Jesus by establishing a close relationship with God, giving our undivided heart to him. May Andrew’s story inspire us, and may he help us dedicate our lives to God unconditionally. – (Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., D.M. Email: [email protected].

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