REFLECTIONS TODAY

It is quite interesting that among those whom Jesus called to be his closest followers were brothers like James and John, sons of Zebedee, and Simon Peter and Andrew from Bethsaida. Today, we celebrate the feast of the last named Apostle. 

Peter (formerly Cephas), in general, is given more prominence in the Gospels, especially as he is designated as the “rock” upon which the Lord Jesus would build his Church. But in the Gospel of John, Andrew seems to be given more prominence, especially in the first chapters, as he is the first one to be called (hence designated as Protoklētos, “first called” in the Orthodox tradition). He then tells his brother Peter about his meeting with Jesus and introduces Peter to the Lord. 

As an apostle, Andrew, like his brother, must have learned a lot from his Teacher. He also must have given his firm resolve to imitate the Lord and follow him closely. Together with the eleven other Apostles, he must have been so proud of taking part in the ministry of his Master. He must have also realized how difficult it was to follow the Messiah, but that he prayed for the grace to follow him all the way, even at the cost of his life as the Church teaches us of his martyrdom. It is also said that he was crucified but not on a cross like our Lord’s but an X-shaped cross or “saltire” because, according to the same tradition, he felt unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as the Lord’s. 

And so, on this feast of the Apostle Andrew, let us pray that we may be instruments for others to know God, in the same way that Andrew introduced Jesus to his brother Simon Peter. Let us also pray that siblings cultivate love and support towards one another, instead of quarreling or fighting; and that families may strive to put God or Jesus at the center of their lives and help one another to follow Christ more closely and devotedly.

First Reading • Rom 10:9-18 

Brothers and sisters: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 
The Scripture says, No one who believes in him will be put to shame. There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? 

And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news! But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed what was heard from us? 
Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. But I ask, did they not hear? Certainly they did; for Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

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: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.