ST. ANDREW, APOSTLE - COMING TO THE CALL OF CHRIST...........

This first Wednesday of Advent today, is also the Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle.  Andrew, was a fisherman along with his brother Simon, and father Zebedee, when Jesus called him to leave his fishing nets and stay with Him.  Andrew had been a disciple of John the Baptist and heard much about the Messiah's Coming. as John testified to who Jesus is.  Coming to stay with Jesus, discovered who is for himself, and sprung into action by running to spread the Good News, "We have founf the Messiah" - proclaiming it to his brother Simon Peter, as found in John's Gospel, 1:28-42.  Andrew became a tireless Disciple of Jesus Christ, during the three years of companionship and public ministry, and also in his preaching and endurance as a Faithful Witness to Jesus, for the remainder of his life.  St. Andrew took the Good News of Christ to Constantinople, and was finally put to death in Patras, Greece.  As our First Reading at Advent Mass today from Romans 10:15; says -"Blessed are the feet of those who bring the Good News".  St.  Andrew exemplifies for us and all Believers, how an unconditional commitment and faithful endurance can allow us to wholeheartedly follow Jesus also as people who hear, answer, and honor, the Call of Christ's Coming into our lives of Discipleship and Living Faith...........Fr.  Troy