Word to the Wise
Monday, November 30, 2020 - Nov. 30 - St. Andrew, Apostle
[Rom 10:9-18 and Matt 4:18-22]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." [Romans]
As one who has spent a good many years as an itinerant preacher, I can say that my feet have taken me to some interesting places. And needless to say, I have had to rely on them to support me as I stood in front of congregations from Alaska to Florida or retreatants from Maryland to California. According to different traditions, the apostle Andrew's feet took him from Scotland to Greece, neither or which is really close to Galilee or Jerusalem! Different traditions speak of his initial acquaintance and following of Jesus. The Gospel According to Matthew, which supplies today's gospel scripture, speaks of Andrew and his brother Peter stopping in the middle of fishing and responding to Jesus' summons The Gospel According to John [2:40-42] speaks of Andrew as a disciple of John the Baptist and following Jesus in response to a comment by John the Baptist. I rather like this latter tradition because it presents the response any preacher would love to have - someone following Jesus because of something the preacher says. The passage from the Letter to the Romans (quoting Isaiah 52:7) in today's first scripture would be fulfilled!
There's an old expression, "You vote with your feet!" which captures much of this picture. Where do our feet take us each day in response to Jesus' call to preach the Good News? Does this apply only to when we go to a definite religious event (liturgy, prayer group, adoration)? Or can it apply to the destination we are headed to at any moment in our lives, even granting the mundane daily requirements of life? Andrew's feet carried him far and wide, from fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee to sailboats on the way to Scotland or Greece (take your pick). Where will yours take you next? AMEN