The Calling of Andrew and Simon Peter
Guisto de Menabuoi
1376-78
Fresco
Baptistry, Cathedral, Padua
Posted on 11/30/2006 8:24:27 AM PST by Salvation
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Thursday, November 30, 2006 Meditation Matthew 4:18-22 St. Andrew St. Andrew was one of Jesus’ first disciples. As a close disciple of John the Baptist, Andrew took the things of God very seriously. Such dedication shows that for a long time he probably had a deep desire to know God personally. So you can just imagine the joy he must have experienced when he first met Jesus. When Jesus saw Andrew casting his net into the sea of Galilee, he invited him to become a fisher of men, to draw people into the kingdom with the net of the gospel (Matthew 4:19). Andrew immediately obeyed, gladly exchanging material advantage for spiritual reward. His confidence in Jesus grew quickly as he boldly told his friends: We have found the Messiah! (John 1:41). It was Andrew, after all, who introduced Peter, James, John (and who knows how many others?) to Jesus. When Jesus called the disciples, he chose ordinary people like Andrew, people with no real wealth, status, education, or social standing. He didn’t choose their works or their gifts; he chose their hearts. He chose them not for what they were but for what they could become under his direction and power. The same is true for us. Jesus is calling each of us into an intimate relationship with himself and inviting us into his way of holiness. He wants to transform us through his Spirit so that we can imitate Andrew and the other dedicated men and women who gave all for the love of Christ. Many of these saints lived hidden lives and performed daily miracles of sacrificial love. Jesus invites us to be like them, as we follow him more closely. What does it cost to follow the Lord? At. Gregory the Great once said: The kingdom of heaven has no price tag on it: It is worth as much as you have. For Zacchaeus it was worth half of what he owned, because the other half that he had unjustly pocketed he promised to restore fourfold. For Peter and Andrew it was worth the nets and vessel they had left behind; for the widow it was worth two copper coins; for another it was worth a cup of cold water. And what does your price tag say? Lord Jesus, it is good to be near you and to know your surpassing love. Fill my heart with gratitude and joy in following you.
Romans 10:9-18; Psalm 19:2-5 |
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O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
| This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited. |
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 15 (16) |
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| The Lord, my inheritance |
| My body will rest in calm and hope. |
| Preserve me, Lord, I put my hope in you. I have said to the Lord “You are my Lord, in you alone is all my good”. As for the holy and noble men of the land, in them is all my delight. But for those who run to alien gods, their sorrows are many. I will not share in their libations of blood. I will not speak their names. You, Lord, are my inheritance and my cup. You control my destiny, the lot marked out for me is of the best, my inheritance is all I could ask for. I will bless the Lord who gave me understanding; even in the night my heart will teach me wisdom. I will hold the Lord for ever in my sight: with him at my side I can never be shaken. Thus it is that my heart rejoices, heart and soul together; while my body rests in calm hope. You will not leave my soul in the underworld. You will not let your chosen one see decay. You will show me the paths of life, the fullness of joy before your face, and delights at your right hand until the end of time. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| My body will rest in calm and hope. |
| Reading | 1 Thessalonians 5:23 |
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| May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you in every way and preserve your life and your soul and your body without blemish, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. | |
| Short Responsory | ? |
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| Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. |
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| Canticle | Nunc Dimittis |
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| Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. | |
| Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness; the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
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| Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. | |
| Prayer | |
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| Let us pray. Lord our God, we are tired by the work of the day. Refresh us with peaceful sleep and, forever renewed by the help you give, let us always be dedicated to you in body and mind. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. |
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| May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. |
| A M E N |
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