St Andrew | Monday 30 November 2020

Today is Monday the 30 November, the feast of St Andrew, in the first week of Advent.

The Gaudete Ensemble conducted by Eamon Dougan sing 'veni Jesu' by Margaret Rizza. As we step into this Advent season of waiting, you might like to begin praying today, by repeating the phrase, 'Come, Lord Jesus'.

Today we celebrate the memory of the apostle Andrew, who was Simon Peter’s brother; the reading is the story of his calling by Jesus. As you listen to the story from the Gospel of Matthew, you might ask how you would have reacted to this strange man asking you to “follow me”.

Matthew 4:18-22

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

When Andrew was called by Jesus, he was with his brother Simon. Two more brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were called next. Does this hold any significance for you?

What stirs in you as you hear the phrase, “they left their nets”?

Now listen to the reading again and ask yourself whether you have ever heard Jesus calling in this way…

Finally, imagine yourself talking to Andrew about this moment. You might like to ask, “Andrew – did you ever regret following him that day, beside the Sea of Galilee?” Notice what comes up in your conversation…

O Wisdom

Lord and Ruler

Root of Jesse

Key of David

Rising Sun

King of the Nations

Emmanuel

Come, Lord Jesus.