THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Wednesday in the First Week of Advent, 2022

Rom 10-9:18

Ps 19

Matt 4:18-22

Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle

Come after me...

Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter. They both earned their living by fishing on the Sea of Galilee. According to this morning’s gospel reading (Mt 4:18-22), they were the first whom Jesus called to become his followers and they were the first to respond to his calling, leaving their fishing business to go where Jesus went.

When Matthew, Mark, and Luke list the names of the twelve, Simon Peter is always mentioned first and Andrew second, suggesting that Peter was the more significant of the two within the circle of Jesus. Indeed, Peter was the leader of the twelve, the disciple whom Jesus called to be the rock on which he would build his church, the shepherd to whom he entrusted the care of his flock. Yet, according to John’s gospel, Andrew was the first to spend time with Jesus and to recognize him as the Messiah, and it was Andrew who subsequently brought his brother Simon Peter to Jesus. ‘He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah”’ (John 1:41). According to this gospel, Peter may have gone on to have a more prominent role in Jesus’ circle than Andrew, but it was Andrew who created the opening for Peter to meet with Jesus initially.

The ministry of opening a door to the Lord for others is a very significant one. We can all enter into that task of creating a space for others to encounter the Lord. Whenever we take on this ‘Andrew role’ for others, it can have consequences for good beyond our imagination.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, you alone can satisfy the longing and hunger in our hearts. May we thirst for your kingdom and find joy in your presence. Amen

+Remain blessed