November 30, 2013

Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle 
Lectionary: 684
Reading 1 ROM 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.

It is in Baptism that we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord.  And we exercise our faith and belief in Him by approaching the font of His grace and believing that His promises will be fulfilled in us.

For one believes with the heart and so is justified,
and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.

He who believes in the heart shows his faith by approaching the Church and asking for the salvation of Jesus Christ in Baptism.

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.

Everyone who approaches the font of Baptism will be saved, washing their sins away in the font of God's grace while calling upon His name.

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?

This indicates the importance of our witness, our Teaching and of our example.  It also indicates the importance of the Church which marshals the priests and ministers who go out to proclaim and administer the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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.

And the Church has gone throughout the world, proclaiming the faith of Jesus Christ.  But many refuse to listen and continue to reject the salvation which He died on the Cross to give to mankind.

Responsorial Psalm PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R. (10) The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. (John 6:63) 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 judgments 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 judgments 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 judgments 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 judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Don't be fooled.  Judgment will come to the Church first.  Everytime we approach the Sacraments, we are judged of God.  Therefore, we must believe sincerely in the promises which God has given us.  Those who believe and receive the Sacraments will be saved.  Those who do not believe, have condemned themselves.

Gospel MT 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.

Sts. Peter and Andrew were brothers, sons of Jonas.  They joyfully cast their nets on the ground and left everything behind, in order to follow Jesus Christ.