Tuesday, November 29, 2016

 

St. Andrew, Apostle

30 November 2016
Wednesday, 1st Week of Advent
St. Andrew, Apostle
Feast.            Red.      

Rom 10:9 – 18 / Mt 4:18 – 22

St. Andrew, Apostle, brother of St. Peter, was a disciple of St. John the Baptist and among those first called by Christ.  He preached in Greece and was martyred on an X-shaped cross.

Gospel Reading: Mt 4:18 - 22
As Jesus walked by the lake of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fish for people."   At once they left their nets and followed him.

He went on from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them  At once they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Reflection
And he said to them, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fish for people." (Mt 4:19)

Today's Gospel reading is a clear message for us to heed God's call to follow him.  Like St. Andrew the Apostle, one of the first disciples, who, upon hearing Jesus' call, immediately left his net and followed. 

Have we listened to God's call? What is he telling us?  The youth Samuel "did not yet know Yahweh" when God called him. So his mentor Eli instructed him "Go, lie down, and if he calls you again, answer: 'Speak, Yahweh, your servant listens.'" (1 Sam 3: 9)

Later Samuel lectures Saul about listening to God's command:  "Does Yahweh take as much delight in burnt offerings  and sacrifices,  as in obedience to his command? Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission better than the fat of rams. (1Sam 15:22)

Have we learned to listen to God?

We are not only called to listen but to act as well, to follow while completely trusting him. Hence, God's call is also a call for a deeper faith.   

There will be challenges to our faith, as when Peter began to sink while walking on the waters at the Lord's ivnvitation, "Man of little faith, why did you doubt?"

The Apostle James wrote, "Consider yourselves fortunate, my brothers and sisters, brethren, when you meet with every kind of trial, for you know that the testing of your faith makes you steadfast.  Let your steadfastness become perfect with deeds, that you yourselves may be perfect and blameless, without any defect."   (Jas 1: 2 - 4)

When we follow Jesus and in total confidence and surrender to his will, we are filled with peace, joy and love. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are generously given to bestow us, God's grace which "transfigures us."

Today is an invitation to listen and seek God's will so that we may follow in generosity and obedience, like St. Andrew and the first disciples of Christ. 


WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY
     Lourdes Lau

PRAYER INTENTION
     Timothy & Eurica Tan

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
     Bert & Mi-Ann Lombos
     Gonzalo & Perpetua F. Ang

IN MEMORIAM (+)
     Cornelio Francisco Sr.
     Grace Ang Lim (Feb 20, 1954 – Nov 30, 2000)
     Bernard Joseph Ong

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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