Daily Catholic Lectio
Thursday, 30 November 2023
Thursday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Romans 10:9-18. Matthew 4:18-22
Saint Andrew, Apostle
First Disciple
Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle. In the Sacred Scripture and the Sacred Tradition he is known as the brother of Peter. ‘Andrew’ comes from the root ‘aner’ and ‘andros‘, which respectively mean ‘man’ and ‘strength.’
In the Eastern Churches, he is celebrated as ‘called first.’ For, according to the Fourth Gospel, Andrew was the first disciple called by Jesus. He was the First Pope of the Church in Constantinople. He was a disciple of John the Baptist before being called by Jesus. According to tradition, he was killed by crucifixion on an X-type cross. He is the patron saint of Scotland and many other countries.
In the first reading, Saint Paul, writing to the Church in Rome, underlines the importance of ‘preaching’ in the faith life of the people. Preaching precedes believing. The believers build their faith on the preaching of the apostles. Thus, the apostles become a connecting bridge between God and people. The first proclamation of the apostles still echoes around the world.
The gospel reading presents the call narrative of Andrew (and Peter). Jesus calls them when they were ‘preoccupied’ with their daily chores. However, they leave everything as soon as Jesus calls them. Their response is immediate and once-for-all.
The gospel of John presents Andrew as a people-bringer. He brings his brother Peter to Jesus (cf. Jn 1:42); later, he introduces to Jesus the boy who had five loaves (cf. 6:9); finally, he brings the Greeks to Jesus (cf. 12:12). Prior to the resurrection of Jesus, Andrew brought people to Jesus, and after the resurrection, he took Jesus to people. Thus, he performed the twofold duties of the apostles.
In the Responsorial Psalm (cf. Ps 19), the Psalmist sings that ‘their message reaches the ends of the world.’ Together with the entire creation, we continue to proclaim Jesus to the world. However, at times we forget our baptismal call. May our God experience be the starting point for our mission.
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Reflecting on the ‘apostolic’ character of the Church, ‘The Catechism of the Catholic Church’ teaches us that ‘the apostles were chosen to bear witness to Jesus and to proclaim the Good News’ (cf. n. 857).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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