November 30, 2010, Feast of the Apostle Andrew

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

Oh gracious and loving God, what would happen to me if I dropped my proverbial net and followed you? What fears would I need to shed? What feelings of shame and unworthiness would I have to leave behind with those nets? I pretend that I must cling to control of every little thing, but the truth is that I have no control. Death may come at any time so why not embrace love now? Why not be fully alive every day? Why not taste the honey that drips from the honeycomb? Dear God, help me to follow you.

Namaste! Amen!

 

The Readings

Romans 10:9-18

If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ 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. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

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? 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!’ But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.

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.’

Psalm 19:8-11

The precepts of the Lord are right,

   rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is clear,

   enlightening the eyes;

the fear of the Lord is pure,

   enduring for ever;

the ordinances of the Lord are true

   and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,

   even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey,

   and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is your servant warned;

   in keeping them there is great reward.

Matthew 4:18-22

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 lake—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 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. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

The readings are from the website below, with tiny adjustments to make the text more inclusive.

http://bible.oremus.org/