Tuesday, November 30, 2021

 Feast of Saint Andrew, apostle

(Romans 10:9-18; Matthew 4:18-22)

Once it was said that the Feast of St. Andrew was the beginning of Advent.  Of course, that is not true.  But the beginning of Advent always falls on the Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Andrew.  The two events have more in common than this, however.

Advent announces the coming of Christ to judge the world.  Andrew, like the other apostles, preached this message.  Now, almost 2000 years have passed since this message was first proclaimed.  Still Christ has not come.  Is it rational to continue expecting him?

Yes, we can answer, for several reasons.  First, Andrew testified to the risen Christ whom he evidently saw.  Indeed, he was martyred for his testimony.  Second, saints through the ages – including some of history’s wisest people – gave the same testimony.  Their faith was more than the youthful enthusiasm.  It was insight verified by experience.  Finally, the inherent logic of the faith that has been handed down begs adherence.  Meditation confirms that Catholic doctrine conforms well with the deepest human intuitions. Other reasons can be added. Nevertheless, we cannot escape the truth that acceptance of Christ’s return depends on faith.

Monday, November 30, 2015

Feast of St. Andrew, apostle

(Romans 10:9-18; Matthew 4:18-22)

Very little can be said with certainly about St. Andrew.  Today’s gospel relates that he was the brother of Simon Peter and a fisherman.  John’s gospel includes a couple more nuggets of information.  He was John the Baptist’s disciple until he spent a day with Jesus.  Then, convinced that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, he brought his brother to him.

Andrew exemplifies what recent popes have called all of us to do.  We are to get to know Jesus by spending time with him.  We should recognize him in the poor and speak to him in prayer.  We are also to bring others to him.  First and perhaps foremost, these are our family members.  They also include our friends who may have never had the pleasure of knowing him.  We are not to be shy about telling even strangers about what Jesus means to us.

We have entered Advent – the designated time of preparation for meeting Christ.  Now as people busy themselves for the Christmas holidays we must remind them of who is at the heart of the celebrations.  Like St. Andrew we need to tell them that he is the long-awaited joy that can fill their heart.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Feast of St. Andrew, apostle

(Romans 10:9-18; Matthew 4:18-22)

Although we know very little about St. Andrew, most Catholics 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 mark the beginning of the season, but the Sunday nearest it is always the first day of Advent.

As Advent marks a new liturgical year, the Feast of St. Andrew reminds us of the dynamism of preaching. Today’s gospel shows Jesus calling the fishermen Andrew and his brother Peter to follow him. The call is so strong that the brothers do not hesitate a moment but leave their fishing nets and even their father in the boat. In the first reading St. Paul articulates the process of preaching. The word of God is not just read or recited but interpreted for the people in their own context. In this way all will come to know God as their common Father, Christ as their Savior, and each other as brothers and sisters.

This vision of a universal family coheres with the prophecies of Isaiah during the first weeks of Advent. We have to live it among ourselves, work for it among associates, and pray for it among the nations of the world.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Feast of Saint Andrew, apostle

(Romans 10:9-18; Matthew 4:18-22)

Although we know very little with certainty about St. Andrew, Catholics probably remember his feast day more than that of any other apostle. November 30 is etched in our minds because of its closeness to the beginning of Advent. The day does not really commence the season, but the Sunday closest to the date always is its beginning.

As Advent begins a new liturgical year, the call of Andrew begins a new chapter in Jesus’ life. Described more specifically in the Gospel according to John but indicated as well in today’s reading from Matthew, Andrew’s vocation marks the beginning of Jesus’ formation of disciples. He will eventually direct part of this entourage – his apostles -- to take his message to the ends of the earth. With this role, as the reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans today indicates, apostles are instrumental to many people’s salvation. They also pay a stiff price for the honor. Tradition views each of the twelve apostles, with the possible exception of John, as martyrs. Andrew is said to have been martyred on an X-shaped cross.

At the beginning of Advent, the feast of St. Andrew anchors the Christ, whom we await at the end of time, to the historical Jesus. We are not to wait for him on our haunches but, like this apostle, by evangelizing with words of truth and deeds of mercy. The suffering that we may experience in doing so will give witness to Jesus’ Lordship over creation.

Homilette for Friday, November 30, 2007

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.