Romans 10:9-18 / Matthew 4:18-22 (2019 / 2024)
The New Testament states that Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter. The gospel of John states that Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist who pointed out the Jesus as the Lamb of God to him.
Andrew followed Jesus and recognized Him as the Messiah, and hastened to introduce Him to his brother Simon Peter, and from then on the two brothers became disciples of Jesus.
But in today's gospel, we heard Jesus called them, while they were casting their nets in the lake, for they were fishermen.
Jesus called them to be His disciples, saying that He will make them "fishers of men".
Yet both gospel accounts complement each other in that we can see the faith of St. Andrew and his openness to the mission of a higher calling than just being a mere fisherman.
Besides bring Peter to see Jesus, St. Andrew also accepted that he was to bring others to encounter the person of Jesus and that would be his mission and purpose in life from then on.
Of course as the 1st reading puts it, everyone (and anyone) who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But, they will not ask for His help unless they believe in Him, and they will not believe in Him unless they have heard of Him, and they will not hear of Him unless they get a preacher, and they will never have a preacher unless one is sent.
Like St. Andrew, we too are called and sent to the deep and cast the net of the Good News of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Like St. Andrew, we too must speak about our Lord Jesus Christ. If not we, then who?