GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 30TH NOVEMBER 2016
FEAST OF ST. ANDREW, APOSTLE
1ST READING: Romans 10:9-18
PSALM: Psalm 19:8-11
GOSPEL: Matthew 4:18-22
THEME: LEAVE AND FOLLOW
To fear to take a risk is to risk living in fear forever. A fruitful life involves taking worthwhile risks and the best risk to take in life is to leave everything and follow Jesus.
In our Gospel text for today, Andrew, whose feast we celebrate today, expresses the depth of his faith, when upon hearing the call of Jesus, leaves his fishing nets and follows him” (Mat 4:20). He takes this bold step, together with Peter, James and John. Their decision entailed abandonment of a former way of life to embrace a new one. It was a movement from the known to the unknown. They took the risk because they considered the one who called them as trustworthy.
Matthew lays particular stress on the immediacy with which they responded to the call. He writes, “they immediately left the nets, and followed Him” (Mat 4:20). This would mean they did not procrastinate; they did not give reasons why they would follow tomorrow and not today. They simply said “yes” to Jesus.
Andrew was an ordinary fisherman but in choosing to respond to the call of the Lord, he gained a new identity in Christ. He became an apostle and we celebrate him as saint. When we choose to follow Jesus, he brings out the best in us and makes of us what God had in mind when he first created us.
Jesus has not stopped calling people to follow him. However, inordinate attachment to our “nets” often rob us of the joy of following the Lord. The “net” here signifies a certain way of life that one is accustomed to and attachment to certain people, places and things. Today, Jesus comes to each one of us anew and asks, “Will you leave your nets behind and follow me?”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I have heard your call and weighed the cost and I choose to follow you. I am available Lord and my heart is ready! Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).