Sharing Christ In Haste

Happy feast of St. Andrew the apostle!

St. Andrew is Jesus' apostle who brought his brother St. Peter to Jesus that he might also know him. He didn't keep this treasure to himself but quickly shared it with his brother! In today's gospel, we hear the story of Jesus calling these brothers to come after him, and at once they left their nets and followed him.

Reading the gospel stories, I was always amazed with the courage, surrender and urgency of those Jesus called. Like wow, they immediately dropped everything to follow Jesus! I wondered what they were thinking and feeling during the encounter. As I continued to ponder, I realized that this wasn't just a drop-everything-and-see-what-happens moment. They knew, and their hearts were already prepared to be committed, ready to risk everything. What security did they have? Only Jesus' promise.

Do I bring Jesus' promise in my heart daily? Life is undoubtedly difficult, but do I allow the challenges to paralyze me? Jesus has graciously prepared a path for us to follow him and be his witness. He asks us to go confidently with the knowledge that we already have him. What he urges us to do in haste is to bring him to everyone to have a personal encounter with him.

How Jesus has filled the life of all the saints like Andrew and Peter has reminded me of our ultimate model, Mama Mary. After the annunciation of angel Gabriel, "Mary arose and went with haste." (Luke 1:39). World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 takes on this theme, with the youth asking for the intercession of Mama Mary to go in haste, with joy, to deliver the living Gospel, Jesus, to all those who await us. I am looking forward to the shared celebration of Jesus this World Youth Day 2023!

As we prepare this Advent for the coming of Jesus, I invite you to ponder on this question with me: how am I generously responding daily to God's call to follow him? St. Andrew, pray for us that the Lord grant us the grace to follow him without delay and to tell the good news of his kingdom!