Friday, the Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle
(Matthew 4:18-22)
Although we know very little about St. Andrew, Christians remember the date of his feast before that of any other apostle. November 30 is etched in our minds because of its closeness to the beginning of Advent. The feast does not really commence the season, but the Sunday nearest the date always is its beginning.
As Advent marks a new liturgical year, St. Andrew represents the newness of Jesus’ preaching. Andrew is considered to be the first disciple whom Jesus’ preaching attracts. Today’s gospel shows Jesus calling the fishermen Andrew and his brother Peter to follow him. They do so unreservedly by leaving their fishing nets “at once.” In John’s Gospel Jesus likewise encounters Andrew along with another man (not Peter) – both of whom are disciples of the Baptist. The two begin to follow Jesus when Jesus bids them to share his life. In both gospels Jesus precipitates a radical choice. His authority is totally irresistible like nothing ever before experienced.
The Church celebrates saints as models of the Christian life and as heavenly intercessors for our salvation. On this Feast of St. Andrew when we still await the beginning of Advent, we might keep in mind the twofold objective in a unique way. First, we might make the radical choice this year of contemplating during Advent the meaning of Jesus’ coming and not indulging in pre-Christmas revelry. Then we might pray to this saint, whom it is said suffered an agonizing death on an X-shaped cross, for the strength to see our decision through.
