We are ending this month with the feast of St Andrew. He was the brother of Simon Peter, and a former disciple of John the Baptist. Andrew in Greek means “manly or courageous.” One of his special attributes was that of bringing others to Christ. He had brought his brother Peter to Christ. With Philip, he presented the Gentiles to Jesus. Moreover, before the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and the feeding of 5000 men, he was the one who brought the boy carrying the loaves and fish to Jesus. Andrew was indeed manly and courageous to have brought others to Christ. He is known by the early Byzantine tradition as Protokletos, which means the first called “Apostle of the Lord.” Despite being the first apostle called, he was not envious of his brother Peter, who became the head of the Apostles. He was at peace with his special gift of pointing, leading and bringing others to Jesus. We are called to be fishers of men and women. When Jesus called Andrew, he immediately left his nets and followed Christ. What are we holding on to that prevents us from answering the call of Christ? We have been entrusted by Jesus with the vocation of bringing others to Him.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, give me the courage to be able to bring others to you. May my life be an aroma of your grace to draw others to you. Amen