Daily Advent Reflection: The Feast of St. Andrew
The Feast of St. Andrew | November 30
Morning Prayer: Psalm 34, Isaiah 49:1-6, 1 Corinthians 4:1-16
Evening Prayer: Psalms 96 &100, Isaiah 55:1-5, John 1:35-42
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—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Matthew 4:18-22
I’ve often wondered at the speed with which these two sets of brothers abandoned everything to follow a passing stranger. How compelling must Jesus’ mere presence have been to inspire this kind of instantaneous devotion? What would be so impelling that Peter and Andrew would leave their nets and simply walk away. Who can say what family and possibly extended family Peter and Andrew worked to feed and to support. Yet with only few words these brothers joined Jesus, abandoned everything they held dear to follow Jesus.
And what about James and John? In an age when duty to family was everything, these men walked away from everything, literally clambering out of their boat and swimming or wading to shore to follow Jesus. Did they have any second thoughts, or gaze back to wonder if their father would be okay on his own?
Matthew tells us that along with their father, James and John owned a fishing boat. This implies a degree of wealth and possibly with that wealth came a certain amount of prestige. In a time when most were peasants who bare scraped by, owning something as large and useful as a fishing boat would probably be rare. And yet, James and John seemingly gave no hesitation in leaving duty, obligation, wealth, and prestige behind to follow a plainly dressed teacher.
Have you ever wondered about Zebedee? I know I have; I’ve pictured him gaping blankly as his boys climb out of their boat and trudged after a stranger. As far as I know, his reaction isn’t written anywhere in the bible, but if he’s like most of the parents I’ve known, Zebedee was sure to have been alarmed and more than a little annoyed. “Um, excuse me? Where do you think you’re going? Hey! Hey, I’m talking to you! Kids!” And still, his boys continued away from him and toward Jesus.
All of this has always been difficult to wrap my mind around. Would I drop everything to follow Jesus as these brothers did? Could I do it? What would it take for me to abandon my husband, friends, home and comfortable life to take to the road after a passing stranger?
Not too many years ago I was much like Peter and Andrew, James and John, living my day-to-day life oblivious of God’s love for me. Until the morning of December 24, 2011, that is. That morning I became very ill and was subsequently hospitalized. Once settled in my room a nurse came in and perching on the edge of my bed and she began asking me questions, jotting my responses down on the admission forms in her lap. At one point, eyes focused on the form, pen held at the ready she asked me if I would be interested in a chaplain visit. I surprised myself with a quick, decisive and resounding ‘yes, yes I would like that.’ That was all it took, that simple affirmative response began a cascade of events that would bring me to church, to knowing Jesus, believing in the words of our Lord and would ultimately result in my baptism four months later.
Like Peter and Andrew, I had no experience with Jesus, I had no real desire to know Him, and yet when he called my name, I did not hesitate to follow Him. And what did I give up? I gave up being alone. I gave up wondering what my life was about and for. I gave up wanting to be liked and loved by others. Jesus filled all of those needs and desires. He always had, but now I can see that He did and does and always will.
Shelly Frey
St. Francis Episcopal Church, Menomonee Falls
