Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle ~ 30 November 2015

Andrew was the brother of Peter and he was a follower of Saint John the Baptist. Andrew immediately followed Jesus after John the Baptist revealed that Jesus was Son of God and later said “Behold, the Lamb of God!” as Jesus walked by him. (John 1:34-40). Therefore, Andrew became the first disciple of Jesus and he then finds his brother Simon and brings him to Jesus. Andrew was known for bring people to Jesus, It was Andrew who brought the boy with five barley loaves and two fish to Jesus which Jesus miraculously multiplies into enough food to feed everyone (John 6:8) and again during the Passover Feast brought a group of Greeks to meet Jesus when Jesus said “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified....when I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all men to myself.” (John 12:20-33)

After the death, resurrection and the ascension of Jesus Christ, Andrew travelled around the Black Sea as far as Ukraine and Russia (he is the patron saint of Russia and Ukraine) to evangelise and spread the teaching of Jesus Christ. Andrew is also the Patron Saint of Scotland. Andrew also went to Byzantium (Istanbul in Turkey) and then to Greece. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion at Patras in Achaea in Greece. Andrew was crucified on a saltire cross which is a cross in the shape of an X and that he was tied (instead of nailed)Andrew remained tied to the cross with thick tight ropes for three days and his last words were: "Accept me, O Christ Jesus, whom I saw, whom I love, and in whom I am; accept my spirit in peace in your eternal realm."

Reading 1

Romans 10:9-18
Brothers and sisters:
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For one believes with the heart and so is justified,
and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
The Scripture says,
No one who believes in him will be put to shame.
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
the same Lord is Lord of all,
enriching all who call upon him.
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone to preach?
And how can people preach unless they are sent?
As it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!
But not everyone has heeded the good news;
for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?
Thus faith comes from what is heard,
and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
But I ask, did they not hear?
Certainly they did; for

Their voice has gone forth to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.


Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. The judgements of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The judgements of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The judgements of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The judgements of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The judgements of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come after me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of men.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel

Matthew 4:18-22
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.