Nov 30 – Feast of St. Andrew, apostle
St. Andrew was the first Apostle of Jesus Christ. He was a fisherman by trade, and the brother of Simon Peter. He was a follower of John the Baptist. Andrew went through life leading people to Jesus, both before and after the Crucifixion. He was a missionary in Asia Minor and Greece, and possibly areas in modern Russia and Poland. He was martyred on a saltire (x-shaped) cross, and is said to have preached for two days from it.
- Patron Saint Index
Rm 10:9-18
Mt 4:18-22
“At once…”
What would make us do anything ‘at once’?
For myself, it is usually when there is an element of fear. A fear of repercussion if we do not do that thing at once. For example if your ‘encik’ in the Army (for the uninitiated, he would be our sergeant major) tells you to do something, we will jump to our feet and do that thing at once. Of course, it is due to trying not to get punished with jumping jacks or push ups.
Even when we were growing up, whenever our parents yelled at us to do something at once, you did it as you didn’t want to feel the end of a fast moving cane or a wandering hand. Even in our work environment, there are many times when our superiors direct us to a certain task. More often than not, we do it only so that it does not affect our performance appraisal. It is so conditional, isn’t it?
So, I sometimes find it incredulous, that Sts Andrew, Peter, James and John simply dropped what they were doing and followed Jesus once He called them to follow Him. At once! Bear in mind, the four of them were leaving behind all that they had ever known, everything that gave them purpose in life, leaving behind their family and friends. And. Just followed. Jesus. A stranger, albeit someone famous that healed people and instructed many, but not someone that they had the opportunity to speak to, or hang out for very long.
What was in Jesus’ voice that made them to do so? What did they feel in their hearts? Was there a fire burning in their hearts, similar to what the disciples on the way to Emmaus felt when the resurrected Jesus explained the scriptures to them (Lk 24:32)?
When we hear the voice of Jesus, can we do the same? Do we immediately ‘follow him’ and do His will or will we go ‘maybe later’? I am often in the camp of ‘do later’ as I do tend to procrastinate. It is something that I always struggle with. Having to wake up early to go for a run or to go to work, I hit the snooze button until the last minute. Even writing this reflection, although, we are given ample time to pray, reflect, and write, I often put it off till later.
But as the deadline approaches, I often feel a nudge, a constant reminder to start getting into the space to prepare for my reflections. God finds a way through my ‘unwillingness’ and when I start the process, I find a certain rhythm as the Holy Spirit guides me to pen my thoughts down, always in the hope that these musings of mine will touch someone.
As Heb 4:12 says, “The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword and manages to pierce joints from marrow.” God’s word is truly wondrous and can inspire us to do so many things. It can guide our actions, help us to formulate our thoughts and strengthen us to do the things that are in accordance with God’s will. God is always there for us. He constantly reminds us of our status as His beloved children. He constantly speaks to us, either in the quiet time that we spend with Him, or through our family and friends.
God loves us and, whenever someone who truly loves us tells us to do something, you know what? We often do it. At once.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Calvin Wee)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of Jesus, the Word of God. Let our hearts and our ears be always open to the soft promptings of your Word and grant us the discernment to recognise these promptings and the strength to act upon them. Amen.
Thanksgiving: Good and gracious God, you are all good and we give you thanks and praise. Thank you Lord, for all your graces and may we always do your will and build your kingdom here on earth. Amen.
OXYGEN 
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