Martin Madalai Muthu csc –
Readings: Rom 10:9-18; Mt 4:18-22
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Andrew the apostle. In the first reading, St. Paul speaks about universal salvation which helps us to strengthen our faith in Jesus.
And the Gospel reading of the day is all about the call of the first disciples which highlights also the Saint of the day. Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow and accompany him in his ministry.
As we reflect upon the reading we could see that there are two things happening sequentially. The first one is the calling of a few very ordinary people for an extraordinary ministry and the other one is an immediate positive response of the ones who were called. Many of us are looking for an extraordinary life or for God’s intervention in an extraordinary way.
But today’s Gospel reminds us that God works in us in a very ordinary way and intervenes through ordinary people, as Jesus called the ordinary people for a great ministry.
As we recollect our life sometimes we may be looking for a person to share our struggles, difficulties, or life experiences. And we will be looking for a great person who is well versed to assist us and waiting for a great opportunity to meet.
Today’s liturgy and the life of St. Andrew invites us to share with people with whom we live and place our trust on the ordinary people who are around us whom God can make use to do extraordinary things in our lives. It could be our friends, family and community members, with whom we live. Jesus also assists us in doing his will and spreading his mission.
Therefore, let us trust each other by sharing, showing concern, and believing that Jesus ‘qualifies the called’; and works through ordinary people in an extraordinary manner. May the life of St. Andrew inspire us to be faithful to our call and bear witness to Christ.