Daily Reflection – Nov 30, 2016

Wednesday 30 November 2016

First Reading: Romans 10:9-18
Responsorial Psalm:
Their message goes out through all the earth
Psalm 18(19):2-5
Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:18-22

Today’s Saint: St Andrew, Apostle (Feast)

Gospel Reading:

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.

Reflection:

Jesus teaches us that the first requirement of becoming His disciples is to renounce oneself and take up one’s cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24).

St Andrew and his brother, St Peter, were among the first disciples called by Jesus. Though the Synoptic Gospels narrated differently from the Gospel of John the way in which they were called, the narratives reflect a similar situation in which the two saints identified Jesus as the Messiah, and instantly renounced themselves, and thereafter, witnessed to hear belief without remorse. Their faith is our model.

To renounce oneself and follow Jesus is easier to say than to do. Carrying one’s own cross is not an easy task because the sufferings of the cross are sometimes unbearable. But Jesus has proven that all the sufferings are worthwhile as great joys and happiness are to be attained through them.

Jesus teaches us: “you will be universally hated on account of my name; but anyone who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22). Standing firm for Jesus is a prerequisite for being saved. St Andrew stood firm in living out Jesus’ teachings. He and other saints now enjoy the eternal life in heaven, and glorify and worship the Trinity.

“Lord, grant us the strength to live out your teachings.”