Bringing People to Jesus!

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Rom 10:9-18; Mt 4:18-22

Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle

Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Andrew, the apostle!

St. Andrew is known as the older brother of St. Peter. We come to know that he was born in the village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee during the early first century. Much like his younger brother, Simon Peter, Andrew was also a fisherman. Andrew’s name means ‘strong’ and he was known for having good social skills.

As per the tradition, Andrew evangelized the Good News around the shores of the Black Sea and throughout what is now Greece and Turkey. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion in Patras. He was bound, rather than nailed, to a cross, as is described in the Acts of Andrew. He was crucified on a cross form known as ‘crux decussata,’ which is an X-shaped cross or a ‘saltire.’ Today, this is commonly referred to as ‘St. Andrew’s Cross.’ It is believed that Andrew requested to be crucified this way because he deemed himself ‘unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus.’

Aside from this brief biographical sketch, we look up to St. Andrew for inspiration to follow Christ in humility, just as he did. 

1.Andrew brings people to Christ. There are three popular instances. It was Andrew who brought his brother Simon to Jesus, telling him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (Jn 1:41). When some Greeks want to see Jesus, Philip takes them to Andrew who in turn takes them to Jesus (Jn 12:22). Andrew also identifies the boy who had five barley loaves and two fish before Jesus went on to feed the five thousand (Jn 6:8). Some people find Christ not through their own search but because someone who knows Him brings them to Him. St. Andrew is the best example. 

2. It takes some humility to say, ‘I am not Jesus.’ Andrew always directs people to Jesus rather than suffering from self-importance. He is someone who is internally free to acknowledge Jesus’ authority. Andrew does not pretend to have solutions. But he knows the One who can give them. 

St. Andrew’s life leaves us with two important questions for self-examination.

Do I point beyond myself to help others reach Jesus by following St. Andrew’s example? 

How often have I facilitated someone’s movement toward Jesus? 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar