The Feast of St. Andrew, apostle
(Romans 10:9-18; 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 association with Advent. The feast does not really mark the beginning of the season, but the Sunday nearest the date is always the first day of Advent.
As Advent marks a new liturgical year, St. Andrew represents the power of Jesus’ preaching. Today’s gospel shows Jesus calling the fishermen Andrew and his brother Peter to follow him. The evangelist Matthew indicates that they do not hesitate a moment but leave their fishing nets “at once.” In John’s Gospel Jesus encounters Andrew along with another man (not Peter) – both of whom are disciples of John the Baptist. The two begin to tail Jesus when he bids them to come into his home and share his life. In both Matthew and John, Jesus precipitates a radical choice from his followers. We must leave behind our former ways of life. That is, we must renounce the nets of our capriciousness and flee the comforts of our sins.
