November 30, 2024, Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

Matthew 4:18-22

Today is the last day before Advent starts.  Yet in honor of St. Andrew, brother of Peter, we go back to the very early days of Jesus’ ministry, when he called Peter and his brother Andrew, as well as James and John, and they immediately dropped their fishing nets and followed him.

Today I see Jesus very far away indeed, infinitely far in the universe, and eternal.  Infinite and eternal, beyond time and space. Yet when he touches down to earth, in the midst of our taking care of business, his call can change everything in an instant.  It is like a cyber warp to a different level, to Jesus’ level.  It can even make you drop your work and leave your family, although for most of us that is not necessary. 

Their call is for work greater than fishing nets; this new work is for calling souls to God, that is, into the Kingdom of God.  That was the story of those four disciples, but for each of us, our story is different and suited to each of us.