Andrew, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, was the first disciple of our Lord. Prior to coming to Jesus, Andrew had been a follower or disciple of John the Baptist. One day while walking with John, Jesus passed by. St. John, seeing Jesus, pointed Him out to Andrew and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Realizing that John was saying that Jesus was the Messiah whom they had all been awaiting, Andrew immediately went after Jesus. Turning and seeing Andrew following Him, Jesus asked him, “What do you seek?” whereupon Andrew inquired where Jesus was staying. Jesus replied, “Come and see.” Andrew soon brought his brother, Simon Peter (St. Peter), to Jesus to also become His disciple.
Andrew and his brother, Simon Peter, were fishermen and one day while repairing the fishing nets in their boat with their father, Jesus came by and asked them to go with Him. They immediately left their father, their boat and their occupations, and followed our Lord Jesus who told them, “I will make you fishers of men.”
It is believed that after the Ascension of Jesus, Andrew went to Greece to preach the Gospel. According to a very ancient tradition, Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross to which he was tied, not nailed. He is said to have suffered for two days before dying on the cross.
St. Andrew is the patron saint of Russia, though it is uncertain whether he actually preached there, and the patron saint of Scotland, where tradition says that St. Rule brought his relics in the fourth century. He is also the patron saint of fishermen. His feast day is November 30.
Other Saints We Remember Today
St. Maura (4th Century), Virgin, Martyr
Lessons from St. Andrew on Page 2
Lessons from St. Andrew
St. Andrew’s zeal is such an inspiration to us. When St. John pointed to Jesus, Andrew immediately ran after Him with his inquiries. After talking with Jesus, Andrew wasted no time in bringing his brother, Simon Peter, to meet Jesus. We can almost picture Andrew, full of excitement, telling everyone he met about our Lord. Through Andrew’s evangelization, St. Peter, our first pope, was brought to Jesus.
Prayer
It is certain, St. Andrew, that your great witness to our Lord brought many to follow Him, most notably your brother, Simon Peter. Let this be an example to us, to realize that each person is valuable in God’s plan of salvation and that we are to bring His gospel to each and every one, never knowing what part that person may play in His divine plan. St. Andrew, pray for us. Amen.
