Andrew, the Apostle – Monday – 30th November 2020 — Gospel: Lk 21,1-4
Skilled Mediator
Today we celebrate the feast of Andrew, the “first-called” apostle of the Lord. His name in Greek means, “manly or brave”. Indeed, he was courageous as he suffered martyrdom during the reign of Nero by being bound to the X-shaped cross, rather than being nailed. Tradition holds that he deemed himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus had been crucified and so requested to be tied to the X-shaped cross. Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter, and was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. He and his brother were fishermen by trade, hence the tradition states that Jesus called them to be “fishers of men” (Mt 4,18-22; Mk 1,16-20). In following Jesus, Andrew realized that his mission was to bring the people to God.
All through the Gospels, we find that Andrew indeed had become a fisher of men. As an apostle, he seems to have had great skill as an intermediary. The Gospel of John states that Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist (Jn 1,40), whose testimony first led him to have a personal experience with Jesus. He then committed himself to follow Jesus abandoning his previous master. His intimacy with Jesus not only made him recognize the Messiah but hastened to proclaim him boldly to Simon, his brother and bring him to Jesus (Jn 1,41-42). In another memorable occasion, Andrew mediated between Jesus and the boy with the five loaves and two fish and made its abundance to fill as many as five thousand men and twelve baskets (Jn 6,8). He also brought to nearness the hour of glorification for Jesus by bringing the Greeks to Jesus who were seeking him (Jn 12,20-22). Besides his extravert nature, we do admire his collegiality with fellow apostles, which is manifested in his friendship with Philip, who sought his guidance to approach Jesus. He was one of the disciples more closely attached to Jesus and was present at his Last Supper. Finally we find him among the four who came to Jesus on the Mount of Olives to ask about the signs of Jesus’ return at the “end of the age” (Mk 13:3).
