Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Today is the Feast of St Andrew the Apostle, the First Called and brother of St. Peter. Tradition has it that St. Andrew was the very first Apostle to answer Jesus’ call. Reflect today on his desire to serve Christ above all others.

“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Gospel Reading Matthew 4:18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

If you silence your mind and listen intently to today’s Gospel, you can hear God; he’s calling you by name to follow him. He’s calling you to be “fishers of men.” Christ called two fishermen, Peter and Andrew, to follow him and “At once they left their nets and followed him.” He called James and John who were fishing with their father and “immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him” What was your response to his call? Did you say yes or are you waiting for a time when it doesn’t interfere with your life. Jesus chose those who were willing to follow him and help him teach the Word of God to his people. These men were not special people, they were ordinary common fishermen. Probably not well kept and they had meager clothes. They did not dress like the priests and Rabbis. They probably smelled a little as well. They would have probably been the least likely of people who you would stop and listen to their message. They were not well educated individuals accustom to giving theological talks. They were not Rabbis who knew the scriptures inside and out. They were common people just like you and I. They were people who decided to commit their life to spreading the Word of God. God takes ordinary people and helps them do extraordinary things. Jesus is the light of the world. We are called to share that light through our actions, our practices and in everything we do. We are to lead others into Christ’s nets so they too can become Lambs of God. We are to express the joy and happiness of Christ so that others desire nothing else but to be his children. Ask yourself these simple questions. Do my actions lead people to or from Christ? Am I willing to answer the call to be a leader for Christ?

A Simple Prayer

God, I hear you calling, but I am weak.

Fill me with the strength to be a beacon for Christ.

Help me to be a witness to the Good News of the Gospel.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon