Fr. Agustinus Sutiono O.Carm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In our Gospel passage today, we heard of the moment when the Lord called the first four disciples from among the fishermen of the lake of Galilee. St. Andrew was among these fishermen. He introduced the Lord to his brother Simon Peter as well as to the two sons of Zebedee James and John. According to Apostolic tradition, Andrew was a disciple of St. John the Baptist. The Lord then called him and the other disciples to be the \u2018fishers of men\u2019 who will gather and lead all mankind to the Lord. Through them, the Lord would reach out to many more people and bring them all towards His loving embrace and compassionate mercy, and that is the very important role which the Lord has entrusted and called the Apostles like St. Andrew to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Apostolic tradition, Andrew would go on to various places to proclaim the Gospels, the Good News of the Lord, including places such as Georgia, Greece and Asia Minor, parts of southern Russia and Ukraine around the Black Sea region, Romania, Cyprus, Malta and other places. There he touched the hearts and minds of many with the Good News of the Lord, with His love and kindness. He established many Christian communities in all those places, and was eventually martyred in Patras in southern Greece, being crucified on an X-shaped cross, which henceforth is known as \u2018St. Andrew\u2019s Cross\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let us all learn and be inspired from the good and worthy life, examples and commitment which Saint Andrew has shown to the Lord and to the people he had been sent to. From his Works and sacrifice, we know that Saint Andrew was a person of faith, full of zeal, vigour and courage in proclaiming the Good News of God. Together with the other disciples, they have shown us what it truly means to be good and faithful Christians, not just in name and formality only, but also through real actions, words and deeds based upon that living and genuine faith in God. We are called to embody our faith in our daily living and in how we interact with one another, with those whom we encounter, even acquaintances and strangers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
May the Lord continue to bless and guide us all in our journey in life so that by His blessings and providence, by His encouragement and strength we may continue to do our best in our respective lives. May our own lives and works be truly worthy of being Christians. Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Fr. Agustinus Sutiono O.Carm In our Gospel passage today, we heard of the moment when the Lord called the first four disciples from among the fishermen of the lake of Galilee. St. Andrew was among these fishermen. He introduced the Lord to his brother Simon Peter as well as to the two sons of Zebedee James and John. According to Apostolic tradition, Andrew was a disciple of St. John the Baptist. The Lord then called him and the other disciples…<\/p>\n