Feast of St. Andrew’s

The Collect of St. Andrew (BCP, p. 237)

Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your Holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Matthew 4:18-22

As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—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.

Reflection on the reading:

The gospel according to Matthew is directed primarily towards a Jewish audience. It attempts to prove that Jesus is the Messianic king of Old Testament prophecy. The author Matthew quotes from many of the books in the Old Testament and clearly points out Old Testament prophecies that have been fulfilled in the life of Jesus. This specific passage comes after the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness and unfolds within the context of Jesus’ first Galilean ministry where he calls four disciples to leave their professions and follow him with a full-time commitment.

  1. What activity occupies the majority of your time each day? Do you find joy and purpose in this activity?

  2. The four disciples were able to discern Jesus calling them even in the midst of their work. Many of God’s chosen servents received their calling in the midst of attending to something else. Saul was looking for his father’s donkeys. David was keeping his father’s sheep. The shepherds were guarding their flocks. Amos was farming in Tekoa. Matthew was working at the tax collector’s table. Moses was tending his father-in-law’s flock. Gideon was threshing wheat. In the midst of your busy schedule, are you able to hear God speak to you? Why or why not?

  3. The disciples left everything and followed Jesus. What part of your past is God calling you to let go of so that you can embrace the future he has prepared for you?

Click here: Eucharistic celebration of the Feast of St. Andrew

Collect of a Saint (BCP, p. 250)

Almighty God, you have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that we, encouraged by the good example of your servant St. Andrew, may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at last we may with him attain to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Click here: Hymn - “Sing of Andrew, John’s Disciple”

To God be the glory now and forever. AMEN.

Fr. Thomas+



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