Today the Church celebrates the feast day of St. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. Both of them were fishermen before Jesus called them. The synoptic gospels give different perspectives on their call. The gospel according to Mark is the prototype in which the fishermen promptly and generously put down their nets and followed Jesus immediately when Jesus called them to be "fishers of men".
And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.
And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men."
And immediately they left their nets and followed him (Mark 1:16-18, Matthew 4:18-20).
The authors did not explain what made the fishermen responded to Jesus' call so promptly. Was "fishers of men" such an attractive job?
The narrative of Luke is more convincing. Jesus boarded the boat of Simon to teach the people from his boat. Then he worked a miracle before he called Simon to be the fisher of men (Luke 5:1-11). Actually, Luke is more concerned with the spirituality of the readers. In this story, Luke charted a particular conversion process. People can be converted in many different ways. Luke tried to highlight the process through which Simon Peter was converted.
Jesus began with preaching. Simon Peter was listening. However, he was probably not convinced by this Rabbi from Galilee. When Jesus told him to go out for a catch in broad day light, which was totally anti-logic, Simon obeyed reluctantly. Probably he wanted to prove this Galilean Rabbi wrong. Now that Jesus had overwhelmed him with a miraculous catch, Simon the experienced fisherman, was proved wrong by a Galilean carpenter. His response was to become the model for all future Christians.
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." (Luke 5:8)
For a person to experience a true conversion, the feeling of being overwhelmed is indispensable.
Though Andrew is mentioned only once in the apostles list in Luke, I am sure he also experienced what Simon Peter experienced.
And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.
And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men."
And immediately they left their nets and followed him (Mark 1:16-18, Matthew 4:18-20).
The authors did not explain what made the fishermen responded to Jesus' call so promptly. Was "fishers of men" such an attractive job?
The narrative of Luke is more convincing. Jesus boarded the boat of Simon to teach the people from his boat. Then he worked a miracle before he called Simon to be the fisher of men (Luke 5:1-11). Actually, Luke is more concerned with the spirituality of the readers. In this story, Luke charted a particular conversion process. People can be converted in many different ways. Luke tried to highlight the process through which Simon Peter was converted.
Jesus began with preaching. Simon Peter was listening. However, he was probably not convinced by this Rabbi from Galilee. When Jesus told him to go out for a catch in broad day light, which was totally anti-logic, Simon obeyed reluctantly. Probably he wanted to prove this Galilean Rabbi wrong. Now that Jesus had overwhelmed him with a miraculous catch, Simon the experienced fisherman, was proved wrong by a Galilean carpenter. His response was to become the model for all future Christians.
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." (Luke 5:8)
For a person to experience a true conversion, the feeling of being overwhelmed is indispensable.
Though Andrew is mentioned only once in the apostles list in Luke, I am sure he also experienced what Simon Peter experienced.
The gospel of John gives us a totally different picture. Andrew had been a disciple of John the Baptist and the gospel does not mention the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. When Jesus appeared, the Baptist bore witness and said "Behold the Lamb of God." When two of his disciples heard it the second time, they followed Jesus. One of the two disciples was Andrew (John 1:29-37). Andrew then brought Simon his brother to Jesus (John 1:41-42).
The next time we heard of Andrew in the gospel of John is in the miracle of the multiplication of bread. It was Andrew who found a young boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish (John 6:8-9). After raising Lazarus, some Greeks went to Philip to express their wish to see Jesus. Philip went to Andrew and both of them went to Jesus (John 12:20-22). This is the last time Andrew appeared in the gospels. The rest were legends and tradition. For example, Andrew preached in Greece. Andrew was tied to an X-shaped cross and died after 2 days. While he was tied to the cross, he kept preaching to the people etc.
The next time we heard of Andrew in the gospel of John is in the miracle of the multiplication of bread. It was Andrew who found a young boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish (John 6:8-9). After raising Lazarus, some Greeks went to Philip to express their wish to see Jesus. Philip went to Andrew and both of them went to Jesus (John 12:20-22). This is the last time Andrew appeared in the gospels. The rest were legends and tradition. For example, Andrew preached in Greece. Andrew was tied to an X-shaped cross and died after 2 days. While he was tied to the cross, he kept preaching to the people etc.
The reading of Romans today is very meaningful.
But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?
And how can men preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10:14-15a)
Christianity is based on the witness of the Apostles. Jesus sent them out to preach so that people can hear the gospel. After hearing the gospel, people have to make a decision. This part is beyond our control. They can choose to believe and call upon the name of God. They can also reject the preaching. If they believe, they may call on the name of God to obtain salvation.
It is God who takes the initiatives to call and send the apostles. This is the work of God. Don't forget, God has His own schedule. The Church has been suffering from a decline of vocation. Less people are willing to answer God's call to serve the people of God. We cannot force God's hand. Nor can we kidnap people. We can only pray to the owner of this world to send more workers to harvest His field.
Now, it is our turn, our duty to preach the gospel such that people can hear the gospel. This is a part which is within our own control.
But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?
And how can men preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10:14-15a)
Christianity is based on the witness of the Apostles. Jesus sent them out to preach so that people can hear the gospel. After hearing the gospel, people have to make a decision. This part is beyond our control. They can choose to believe and call upon the name of God. They can also reject the preaching. If they believe, they may call on the name of God to obtain salvation.
It is God who takes the initiatives to call and send the apostles. This is the work of God. Don't forget, God has His own schedule. The Church has been suffering from a decline of vocation. Less people are willing to answer God's call to serve the people of God. We cannot force God's hand. Nor can we kidnap people. We can only pray to the owner of this world to send more workers to harvest His field.
Now, it is our turn, our duty to preach the gospel such that people can hear the gospel. This is a part which is within our own control.
Dear Lord, we have been relying on priests and bishops for too long. Help us discern Your will and see the needs of the world. Amen.
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