Saturday, November 18: Holy Apostles Andrew and Philip
We read in the gospels of Matthew (4:18-20) and Mark (1:16-18) that while walking beside the Sea of Galilee, Jesus noticed two fishermen, Andrew and his brother Simon Peter, casting their nets. He famously called them to “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” This universal paradigm of discipleship and witness suggests that when we follow our Lord, we are changed by Him, and to such a degree that we want to share this with others that they too might follow and be transformed. Tradition reports that after preaching in Greece, Anatolia and elsewhere, he was arrested and crucified on an x-shaped cross, feeling himself unworthy to be crucified as Jesus was.
Like Andrew, Philip was from Bethsaida. After he was called by Jesus, he tells Bartholomew (John 1:45) — who doubts anything “good can come from Nazareth” — to “come and see.” An account of his martyrdom relates that Philip was arrested with Bartholomew but brought about the latter’s release even though he himself was crucified. Outside of the Gospels, incidents from the lives of these two apostles can be found in histories, hagiographies, and anonymous Acts.
Sunday, November 19, 2017
From Sunday’s Readings
Luke 9:44-50 The disciples argue about who will be the greatest and almost proudly tell their Lord that they tried to stop a man who was driving out demons. Jesus uses both incidents to demonstrate the qualities of true discipleship and that the least in the world’s eyes is the greatest in heaven. Discussion: What idea of greatness do the disciples seem to have in vv 46-50?
Philippians 1:1-11 St. Paul joyfully remembers the Philippians as deeply faithful and thinks of them as his fellow travelers, sharing in God’s grace. Discussion: St. Paul suggests (v 9) that love grows with knowledge and insight. Do you agree? How has this happened in your own experience?
Isaiah 25: 9-26:7 These verses begin with an oracle against Moab, a neighbor of Judea, and end, in Chapter 26, with a beautiful psalm-like prayer of trust in God. Discussion: In 26:4 we are advised to “trust in the Lord forever.” What awaits us if we do? See verse 3 for the answer.
Elise Antreassian
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