Word to the Wise
Saturday, November 30, 2024 - Nov. 30 - St. Andrew, Apostle
[Rom 10:9-18 and Matt 4:18-22]But how can they call on him 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 good news! [Romans] "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." [Matthew]
In recent years, I have become acquainted, out of need, to seek the services of a podiatrist - a foot doctor! The feet that bring good news, let alone the fingers that type it every morning, require maintenance. I am not surprised that so many of the faces I see in the waiting room are elderly like my own. What news have they brought? One can only imagine the challenges of biblical times when most travel was by foot. Only the well to do could afford animals to take them from place to place. The hospitality of offering water to wash one's feet on arrival is noted in the gospels! [Luke 7:44], and Jesus' washing of the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper is an ultimate act of hospitality. [John 13]
St. Paul's words in today's first scripture speak of the necessity of someone being SENT to preach the gospel. The very word "apostle" is taken from the Greek meaning someone SENT to perform a particular task. St. Andrew must have had some tough feet because both Greece and Scotland claim he preached there. The very existence of dedicated podiatrists tells us that if we want to spread the good news, our feet are an important means of getting out into the world to preach. We can be grateful that St. Andrew had tough feet, but we need to care for our own if we want to follow in his footsteps! AMEN