Homily for the Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle

The story of the calling of Andrew and his brother Simon, along with the brothers James and John, possesses a beautiful simplicity. Jesus saw Simon and Andrew casting their nets into the sea as they went about their daily work. He called out to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” We are told that the brothers immediately followed Him.

It is natural to expect some hesitation when responding to Jesus' call, as doing so would mean leaving behind everything they had ever known, including their livelihood, and venturing into "uncharted waters." Catching people is much harder than catching fish. Nonetheless, whatever reluctance Andrew and Simon may have felt, they immediately overcame it and chose to follow Jesus, becoming great evangelists who preached the Gospel of Christ.

Perhaps it can be said that the Lord works in our lives much like He did in the lives of Andrew, Simon, James, and John. He often calls us amid our daily tasks—in the ordinary, sometimes monotonous moments of life. He invites us to step beyond our familiar surroundings and comfort zones to serve God's kingdom. This call can come in small, subtle ways. While we may initially resist it, if we listen and allow it to resonate within us, responding positively can lead to surprising and good works through us by the Lord.