St. Vincent Ferrer Parish

[November 30]

Andrew, born at Behsaida, was a disciple of John the Baptist before he became a follower of Christ, to whom he also brought his brother Peter. With Philip he presented the Gentiles to Christ and, before the miracle in the desert, it was Andrew who pointed out to Christ the boy carrying the loaves and fishers. After Pentecost he preached the Gospel in many lands and was put to death by crucifixion at Achaia.

Prayer
Lord,
in your kindness hear our petitions.
You called Andrew the apostle
to preach the Gospel and guide your Church in faith,.
May he always be our friend in your presence
to help us with his prayers.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Picture:

Reading
Romans 10:9-18

Brothers and sisters: If you confess with you mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is saved. For 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, enriching all who call upon him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him in whom they have not  believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring [the] good news!” But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?” Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. But I ask, did they not hear? Certainly they did; for “Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”

Responsorial Psalm
“The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.”
Psalm 19:8. 9. 10. 11

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.

Gospel
Matthew 4:18-22

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. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

The whole of Christendom celebrates the Advent season beginning today until eve of Christmas. This is a four-week period of active waiting and preparation for the coming of the Lord. On the first two weeks of Advent, we will meditate on God’s coming in glory on Judgment day. On the other two weeks we will focus on the actual coming or birth of Christ in Bethlehem, and how this event continues to impact our life today.

The first Sunday of Advent marks the start of a new cycle (Year C) in the Church calendar. Simply put, it means that the Church as People of God will meditate with new eyes and fresh hope on a new set of readings. Our evangelist for this new cycle is Saint Luke, “our dear and glorious physician” who was also Saint Paul’s constant companion. Luke, having been exposed to the maladies and illnesses of sick people, is said to be sensitive to the plight of those who suffer like women and children.

At a quick glance, today’s Gospel reading seems to be rather odd and disconcerting. It speaks of strange movements in the galaxy, cataclysm and catastrophe on earth and in the sea. The reading seems to depict doom and destruction rather than presage a new beginning. Luke uses apocalyptic signs and symbolism oftentimes difficult to understand, to reveal a truth about something. Here, Luke emphasizes that the definitive coming of the Son of Man will be accompanied by a great upheaval. The sinful way of doing things must therefore coase, and people must be prepared to see the light and glory of God’s Anointed One.

The Gospel reading, after all, speaks about redemption rather than doom. Towards this, Jesus calls upon us to abandon coarseness of life that leads to overindulgence and undue anxiety regarding the future. He counsels us towards vigilance, waiting for the day of the Lord by actively heeding his voice and doing his will. “But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” Saint Paul, in writing to the Thessalonians, exhorts us to a recording of our lives, to be blameless in holiness at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the instructions he has already given to the Church.

Jeremiah has seen dark days. He was put behind bars because of his prophesying. The former glory of the house of David is shamefully reduced to utter bareness and insignificance like a stump of a tree. Rather than sulk at the dismal turn of present events, Jeremiah proclaims the glory and the light of God’s Anointed One. He will be called The Lord our Justice and he will do what is right and just in land. Jeremiah be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure.

May this Advent season spur us to a renewed relationship with God and with our neighbors. In moments of hopelessness, when we feel lost and all we see around is death, doom, and despair, let us remember Jeremiah. In the dark dungeon, he stood erect and raised his head and saw with the eyes of faith the coming of the Messiah, the faithful God. When everything God. When everything about Judah and Israel was reduced to utter nothingness, Jeremiah sees the birth of the Savior, the just shoot that will be raised from the stump of David.

- Rev. Fr. Paul J. Marquez, SSP
Sambuhay, Year 23 No. 22