Reflections on Scripture | Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Matthew 4:18-22

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

When an opportunity comes and we're faced with a new direction of our life,

a major change, we know that when something is proposed to us that we don't fully know all that it means, but we have this inner sense that this is what I must do. That's, I think, what we saw in these two sets of brothers. They were doing their ordinary work. They were following whatever their fathers said. They were doing the job and making the money they needed to to sustain their life.

All, in a sense, pretty ordinary. But then something came upon them. Some invitations, some calling, and a radical shift was made. And all I'm asking is that you understand that when you know, you know that's when it's real, when there is no doubt in the moment you make the decision. That's a decision that must be made.

Closing Prayer

Father, you call us in so many ways into new directions as we continue to grow in our spiritual journey. Give us wisdom and courage to discern when it truly is your will and to have the ability to make the changes that are necessary so that we can follow you more deeply, more effectively. We know that you long for us to be strong, capable and witnessing your saving power. Bless us then, with this confidence that can only come from you. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross