Vocation Rosary in honor of St. Andrew – November 30, 2007
As Jesus was walking by….He called His Apostles[1]
Mt. 4:18-22
As Jesus was walking by….He called His Apostles[1]
Mt. 4:18-22
Introduction:
St. Andrew was the first of the Apostles to be called to follow Jesus. We call him “Protokletos", which means, precisely, “the first called.”[2] We turn to him today and ask his intercession to intercede for and inspire many young men and women to follow the Lord.
First Mystery
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
The Apostle is called from the midst of his/her daily life to Redemptive love - - that is, the infinite love of the Father which, in Christ and through the Holy Spirit, saves, sanctifies and calls people to be available in collaborating with God's action of love (G. Giaquinta).
Second Mystery
He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.
The Apostle is called to self- giving…that must be a practical expression of his/her love for the Blessed Trinity and for all people. This implies a total self- emptying in order to be at the complete service of Christ’s redemptive plan. (G. Giaquinta).
Third Mystery
At once they left their nets and followed him.
The Apostle does not hang his/ her head and follow, but responds with love, that is made practical through a desire for and an effort toward holiness expressed by a total and joyous adherence to the will of God Who calls everyone to perfection (G. Giaquinta).
Fourth Mystery
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
The Apostle leaves all to follow Jesus in the Church…and thus, lives deeply and joyously this vocation by leading people to holiness at her service (G. Giaquinta).
Fifth Mystery
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.
The Apostle follows the Lord in order to be “another Christ” and then aims
to elicit from others a full response of love by helping them know His divine
project of salvation-holiness (G. Giaquinta).
Closing thought
The Apostle Andrew, therefore, teaches us to follow Jesus with promptness, to speak enthusiastically about him to those we meet, and especially, to cultivate a relationship of true familiarity with him, acutely aware that in him alone can we find the ultimate meaning of our life and death (Pope Benedict, The Apostles, pg. 64)
[1] Scripture passages are from Matthew 4:18-22 and the reflections were inspired by the writings of Servant of God, Bishop Giaquinta as found in the Constitution of the Apostolic Oblates.
[2] Pope Benedict XVI
