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“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Daily Reflections

Thursday, 30^thNovember 2017.

Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle

Rom 10: 9-18;

Ps 19: 2-5 (R. 5);

Mt 4: 18-22.

COME AFTER ME

St. Andrew seems to have been a transparent disciple. Andrew has no identity in the Gospels apart from Jesus. He is always portrayed as either following Jesus or bringing others to Jesus. Although he was a privileged apostle with special access to Jesus (Mk 13: 3), he was apparently content to humbly bring others to Jesus without drawing attention to himself (Jn 1: 40-42).Once the apostle Philip was approached by a group of Greeks who wanted to see Jesus. Instead of bringing them directly to Jesus, Philip brought them to Andrew (Jn 12:20-22). Philip apparently was certain that if he could just get the Greeks to Andrew, then Andrew would be able to take them straight to Jesus. He was also instrumental in presenting the boy with the barley loaves and the fish to Jesus, leading to the miracle of the multiplication of loaves.

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus tells Peter and Andrew: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. St. Andrew gives us a perfect example of how prompt must be our following and surrender to Jesus. This story of the call of St. Andrew is quite appropriate today, as a moment where Jesus calls us anew. Jesus call to us, “Come after Me!” We should hear Him invite us and give ourselves completely to His divine plan and purpose. Our response, must be the same as St. Andrew. We must, without hesitation, leave everything to follow Him. It means that we must let go of anything and everything that keeps us from responding to Christ. It means we must be ready and willing to do whatever Jesus asks of us. And we must be ready to do it the moment He asks.

Saint Andrew gives us a great example of true faith. As Saint Paul says in his letter to the Romans: "Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes from Christ." (Rom. 10:17) The Apostles heard the calling of Christ, and they followed, thus demonstrating true faith. In St. Andrew, we see a reflection of ourselves and our mission. Following Christ is our top priority and leading others to Christ our mission.

Reflect, today, upon the fact that it is time to let yourself be called to Christ. Listen to Him calling you and respond to Him with your whole heart.

Prayer: Lord, I love You above all things. Help me to hear Your gentle yet firm voice calling me to follow You. Give me the courage I need to respond to Your gentle invitation with complete abandonment. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.