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.
From Johnnette Benkovic’s Graceful Living: Meditations to Help You Grow Closer to God Day by Day
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea. . . . And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
— Matthew 4:18, 19–20
Johnnette’s Meditation
Through our baptism, Jesus has called each one of us to be “fishers of men.” How do I think of this reality in reference to myself? What is my current sea of evangelization? What nets may I need to leave behind so I can fish in it?
Other Saints We Remember Today
St. Maura (4th Century), Virgin, Martyr
image: After Gerard Seghers, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
