Daily Gospel for Saturday, 30 November 2013

Daily Gospel for Saturday, 30 November 2013

John 6:68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. (Messianic World English Bible)

Saint Andrew, apostle - Feast

Saint of the Day:

SAINT ANDREW

Apostle

(1st century)

St. Andrew was one of the fishermen of Bethsaida, and brother, perhaps elder brother, of St. Peter, and became a disciple of St. John Baptist. He seemed always eager to bring others into notice; when called himself by Christ on the banks of the Jordan, his first thought was to go in search of his brother, and he said, "We have found the Messias," and he brought him to Jesus. It was he again who, when Christ wished to feed the five thousand in the desert, pointed out the little lad with the five loaves and fishes.

St. Andrew went forth upon his mission to plant the faith in Scythia and Greece, and at the end of years of toil to win a martyr's crown. After suffering a cruel scourging at Patræ in Achaia, he was left, bound by cords, to die upon a cross. When St. Andrew first caught sight of the gibbet on which he was to die, he greeted the precious wood with joy. "O good cross! " he cried, "made beautiful by the limbs of Christ, so long desired, now so happily found! Receive me into thy arms and present me to my Master, that He Who redeemed me through thee may now accept me from thee."

Two whole days the martyr remained hanging on this cross alive, preaching, with outstretched arms from this chair of truth, to all who came near, and entreating them not to hinder his passion.

Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. [1894]

Saint Maura

Feastday: November 2

St. Maura, the Irish sister of St. Brigid. There legend is that they were Scottish princesses who were murdered by pagan outlaws while on a pilgrimage to Rome. Their bodies are enshrined there. They are believed to be the same St. Maura and St. Britt who were 5th century soldiers per St. Euphronius and St. Martin of Tours. Also there is another legend of them by St. Baya. Their feast day is on November 2.

Saint Andrew, apostle - Feast

Romans 10: 9 because[a] if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13 For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16 But not all have obeyed the good news;[b] for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.[c]

18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for

“Their voice has gone out to all the earth,

    and their words to the ends of the world.”

Footnotes:

Romans 10:9 Or namely, that

Romans 10:16 Or gospel

Romans 10:17 Or about Christ; other ancient authorities read of God(NRSV)

Psalm 19: 8 the precepts of the Lord are right,

    rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is clear,

    enlightening the eyes;

9 the fear of the Lord is pure,

    enduring forever;

the ordinances of the Lord are true

    and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,

    even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey,

    and drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is your servant warned;

    in keeping them there is great reward.(NRSV)

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew 4: Jesus Calls the First Disciples

18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.(NRSV)

Saint Andrew, apostle - Feast

Commentary of the Day:

Saint Bernard (1091-1153), Cistercian monk and doctor of the Church

2nd sermon for the feast of Saint Andrew

The martyrdom of Saint Andrew the apostle

“O Cross, so long desired and now offered to my soul's aspiration, joyfully and confidently I approach you. Receive me with gladness, I who am the disciple of him who hung from your arms...” Thus, [according to tradition], spoke Saint Andrew as he saw from afar the cross erected for his martyrdom. From whence did so amazing a joy and exultation come to this man? From whence so great a constancy in so weak a being? From whence did this man hold firm with so spiritual a mind, so fervent a charity and so strong a will? Don't imagine he drew such great courage from himself; this was the perfect gift coming down from the Father of lights (Jas 1,17), from he who alone works wonders. This was the holy Spirit coming to assist his weakness and flooding his heart with a love strong as death and even stronger than death (Sg 8,6).

Please God we too may have a share in this Spirit today! For if the struggle for conversion is painful for us at the moment, if watching in prayer bores us, it is solely because of our spiritual laziness. If the Holy Spirit were with us he would surely come to assist our weakness. What he did for Saint Andrew in the face of the cross and death, he would do for us too: taking away the painful aspect of the hard work of conversion, he would make it desirable and even pleasant...! My brethren, let us seek out this Spirit, let us put all our care into acquiring it, or into possessing it more fully if we already have it. For “whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ” (Rm 8,9). “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God” (1Cor 2,12)... So we should take up our cross with Saint Andrew, or rather with him whom he followed, our Lord and Savior. The reason for his joy was that he was not just dying with him but like him and that, united so closely to his death, he would reign with him... For our salvation lies in this cross.

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