Thursday, November 15, 2012

11/30/2012 – Andrew –Friday – Matthew 4:18-22, Romans 10:9-18


        Today we celebrate the feast of St Andrew, one of the 12 apostles.  Like many of the apostles, the Gospel does not go into many details about him.  Today’s reading from Matthew tells us that Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter, that he was called to be a disciple out of the everyday reality of his life while he and his brother were fishing and were casting a net into the sea.  Jesus called them to follow him – they were amongst his first followers.  Andrew and Simon Peter immediately put down their nets & followed Jesus.  After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the apostles were dispersed throughout the world to bring Christ’s Good News to others.  Tradition has it that Andrew brought the Gospel to the people of Turkey and Greece, where Andrew gave his life as a martyr as his continued Christ’s ministry and teachings.
         In his letter to the Romans, Paul tells us how important it is for us to share our faith with others, to continue the work of Christ here on earth by preaching the Gospel.  Paul tells us that it does not matter if we are Jew or Greek.  No matter what our status in life, Christ Gospel is open to us.
         As we journey through this last week of the liturgical year in anticipation of the holy season of Advent, as we hear of the witness of Andrew the Apostle, may we see the responsibility we have in helping to spread the Gospel throughout the world.  As part of our Advent practices, may we find new and different ways that we can help Jesus and his apostles in their mission to spread the Good News.  May we honor the work of Andrew and the other apostles by keeping that work alive.  

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