Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator
November 30 brings us the last feastday of the liturgical year as we remember St. Andrew, brother of St. Peter and one of the Twelve. Andrew and Peter were from the village of Bethsaida. The name means "House of Bread." Scholars point out that it is Andrew who finds the boy who supplies the bread to feed the multitude in St. John's Gospel.
Tradition tells us that St. Andrew was crucified on an X shaped cross. The Eastern Church honors St. Peter and his brother as "first-called." The Gospel of St. John records that Andrew was one of John's disciples and was sent by John to follow Jesus.
The first reading for today's liturgy speaks of the necessity of "hearing" to come to faith. John the Baptist first preached the Good News about Jesus pointing the way to Jesus. Andrew heard that word and came to faith in Jesus. He then spent the rest of his life preaching that Good News himself, bringing others to faith. St. John exemplifies this as he records that it is Andrew who brought his brother Peter to faith in Jesus.
As we keep this feast, we remember that it is the example of our lives that continues the task of preaching the Good News.