REFLECTIONS TODAY
Simon and Andrew, the sons of John or Jonah (Mt 16:17), are the first to be called by Jesus to be “fishers of men” (v 19). They are soon joined by their partners in fishing, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Their response is quick, which becomes the model for those who are called by the Lord.
In the Johannine tradition, it is Andrew who first follows Jesus, upon hearing the testimony of his “former” teacher, John the Baptist. And so in the Church, he gains the sobriquet Protokletos, “the first called.” Andrew is the one who introduces his brother Simon to Jesus who gives him the name Kephas or Peter. Andrew can be an inspiration to vocation promoters for the priestly and consecrated life.
According to Church tradition, Andrew preached in Scythia and Thrace, around the area of the Black Sea; hence, the See (Seat) of Byzantium (later Constantinople and Istanbul) was attributed to him. It is said that Andrew was martyred at the city of Patras in Achaea around AD 60. He was crucified in an X-shaped cross, upon his request, as he deemed himself unworthy to be crucified in same way as Jesus.
Gospel • Matthew 4:18-22
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.