St Andrew

St Andrew

St Andrew was one of the twelve Apostles of Christ.  Like Christ, he also gave his life on the cross.  He embrace the crown of martyrdom, to witness Christ as King.   After the Ascension, he went forth to Sycanthia and Greece to make disciples for Christ.  

The Gospel passage tells us that Christ is in the region of Galilee, and met Peter, James and John.  They were fisherman.  But he invited them to follow: come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.  

This may not be the first time that The Lord encounters them.  But it certainly is the first time that he invites them to follow him.  He invited them to do ministry with him, not part-time, but full time.  They left their nets (fully committed) and followed him.  

It's not uncommon in the Judea culture that a Rabbi would have disciples accompany him.  Their education is in the form of an apprenticeship, a bit different from a school or university like today.  

Students learn by following their Master around full time.  It would be like a daughter learning how to bake from her mother, or a son learning carpentry from his father.  

The disciples learn about ministry by accompanying Christ.  They saw him pray.  He taught them how to pray like the Our Father.  They heard him preach, teach and perform healings.  All these things they saw and heard and they essentially learn about God, about the gift of faith, about the Kingdom of God by being in the company of Christ.  

The apprentice model is effective because faith grows by remaining connected to the master, teacher or mentor.  For instance, if I have a question about something, or in need of discernment, I can go a spiritual director, advisor and mentor to help me.  They may be able to see something that I cannot see.  Or perhaps their experience can help shed light upon a difficult situation.  Essentially, I learn by seeing first hand how the Master does it, and I strive to imitate the Master.  

The Lord says: "I am the vine, you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.  Apart from me, you can do nothing."