ST.ANDREW-APOSTLE


Romans 10:9-18

Matthew 4:18-22


WHOM HAVE YOU SHARED THE GOSPEL WITH? 


Today we celebrate the feast of St. Andrew and the end of November. All praise, honor, and glory to God Almighty who has led us through this year. In today's Gospel, Jesus called  -Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be disciples and fishers of men. That was a special privilege. These men met Jesus face to face, they heard his voice calling them directly and then left everything to follow Him. They trusted him, they felt his presence, they knew somehow that this was someone they needed to walk with, and throughout their lives, they would continue to follow Jesus. 



Andrew, (brave) was a trustworthy disciple with happy feet, he was present when John the Baptist pointed to the Messiah, he followed him, and also introduced Simon to Jesus. He brought the unnamed young lad who gave him five loaves and two fish for the people to eat. John 6:8. And when Philip wanted to tell Jesus about certain Greeks seeking Him, he told Andrew first (John 12:20-22). Andrew was one of the four disciples who went with Jesus to the mountain of Transfiguration, at the Mount of Olives he asked about the signs of Jesus’ return at the "end of the age"(Mark 13:3). He laid his life for Christ’s sake as he was crucified hands and feet on a diagonal cross called saltire. His relics are kept in Greece, Amalfi, and Sarzana Cathedrals in Italy, Scotland, and Poland. 



Jesus called Peter and Andrew to be fishers of men have you ever felt the calling, or being called to perform certain deeds as an invitation by the Holy Spirit? There is a saying that is probably overused, but makes a lot of sense as regards celebration – he does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called. How many times in our lives have we said, “Oh, I cannot do what God wants me to do because I’m not worthy”? We are all being made worthy. We are worthy, if we have that love of Jesus in our hearts, and we love him so much that we will serve him wherever he calls us! Can we trust him implicitly throughout our day-to-day activities, remembering that he is always with us?



Do you let any earthly fear or attachment prevent you from answering the call? In your work, at home? – Jesus wants you, and he wants to be with you – he wants us all, to share in his works, and all we have to do is let go and trust his guidance. Do not be a periodic searcher for Jesus in your life, bring him close to you always. Draw nearer to Him, acknowledge Him, and accept those gifts that he so generously wants us to have! May we continue to follow the call of the Good Shepherd who laid down his lives for us. 

St. Andrew-pray for us.Amen. 





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  ST. BARTHOLOMEW, APOSTLES, FEAST   Apocalypse 21:9-14 Psalm 144(145):10-13a,17-18 John 1:45-51 COME TO JESUS  Today's readings emphasize the significance of heaven. We must stay focused on the ultimate prize, just as Bartholomew did when he sought spiritual enlightenment under the fig tree. When Philip introduced him to the Messiah from Nazareth, Bartholomew initially questioned whether anything good could come from Nazareth. However, after encountering Christ, he recognized Him as the Son of God. Bartholomew made the wisest decision of his life by coming to Jesus. As it says in Psalms 145, "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him." Our prayer life can be as simple as coming to Jesus and seeking Him for rest, as stated in Matthew 11:28. Let us also have a deep desire to draw closer to Jesus and focus on the things above where Christ is. Amen. N. B. Pray for me as I celebrate my birthday today. Thank you and God bless. 
Read more
Image
  REPORTING LIVE FROM ROME GOOD SHEPHERD, I AM BLESSED AND SO THANKFUL!! (BEARING WITNESS TO A RARE OCCASION) 4th Sunday of Easter  Acts 13:14,​43-52 Psalm 99(100):1-3,5 Apocalypse 7:9,​14-17 John 10:27-30 May 8! What an unforgettable day! I had just wrapped up the final lecture of the day at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome with my thesis moderator, Professor Lewis Ayres. This is the same prestigious university that counts St. Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Francis Prevost among its illustrious alumni!  On my way home, I called my mom to wish her a Happy Birthday, reminding her of my dad’s passing on the same day over a decade ago. We had a good laugh about a seagull perched near the chimney of the Sistine Chapel when, out of nowhere, the news broke—“Habemus papam!” The Cardinal Deacon proclaimed it loud and clear! There was huge traffic and everyone started running to the square.  Just an hour later, the new pope, Leo XIV, emerged onto the gr...
Read more
Image
  Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor  Hebrews 8:6-13 Psalm 84(85):8,10-14 Mark 3:13-19 GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU FOR A PURPOSE  Today the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Francis de Sales, a figure emblematic of profound prayer and spirituality. His teachings emphasize the essential nature of remaining in divine love, encapsulated in his assertion that effective preaching is rooted in love itself. In contemporary discourse, there is an inclination to simplify Christianity to mere moral teachings, often overshadowing the necessity of an authentic, contemplative encounter with God. The Vatican Council's document Gaudium et Spes articulates this relationship succinctly: “The root reason for human dignity lies in humanity’s call to communion with God. From the very circumstance of our origin, we are already invited to converse with God. For man would not exist were he not created by God’s love and constantly preserved by it; and he cannot live fully according to truth unles...
Read more