The Feast of St Andrew, Apostle.
"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." (Matthew 4: 18 - 22).
Thursday 30th November 2023 of the 34th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Andrew the Apostle. (+ 60 AD). He is the brother of Simon Peter, the Chief Apostle.
Who is Andrew the Apostle?
Andrew was a disciple of St John the Baptist. Andrew saw and heard John the Baptist say about Jesus: “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36). Andrew said to his brother Simon: “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41). Andrew was a seeker and an evangelist at heart.
After the Resurrection and Pentecost, Andrew embarked on his apostolic missions. St Andrew was martyred in Greece circa 60 AD.
Tradition says that he died in an X shaped Cross. He is the Patron saint of Greece, Russia and Scotland.
Andrew appeared to be born to be an evangelist. He hears the divine command in the Gospel. “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” He believes it and obeys it instantly. Immediately he goes to share this treasure with the first person he meets who happens to be his brother Simon Peter.
How do we respond at once to the call of Jesus like Andrew and become committed and enthusiastic evangelist?
1. Prayer. So that our faith will grow. The fruit of Prayer is a deepening of faith. (St Teresa of Kolkata).
2. Word of God: We learn the Heart of God from the word of God. (St. Gregory).
The word of God equips us for ministry. "You shall hear the word from My mouth. You shall tell them what you hear." (LOTH).
3. Eucharist. Several times a week.
4. Reconciliation: Frequent.
5. Spiritual Reading: Daily.
6. Examenation of conscience. Daily.
7. Ministry /Faith Sharing. Daily.
The core mission of the Church is to evangelize. Pope St Paul VI writes that the Church exists in order to evangelize.
In the first Reading we hear:
"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? (Romans 10: 13 - 15).
How can people hear of a new product unless there is a salesman or advertising?
"When I choose a soul for a work of Mine, I begin always by drawing that soul very close to Me with the leading bands of My most sweet love. I have given you the gift of My divine friendship, just as I gave it to John and to the other apostles in view of the great work that I entrusted to them: the foundation and growth of My Mystical Body, the Church on earth. Every work of Mine begins in this way." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, April 10, 2008).
The month of November is the Month when the Church remembers in a special way the souls in purgatory. November ends today.
Never neglect to pray daily for your loved ones who may be crying for your help.
For Catholic Church teaching on the Souls in PURGATORY and how to help them, click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/10/10-ways-to-assist-poor-souls-in.html
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