Today is the feast of St. Andrew, the one named the Prōtoklētos – or “first called.” Andrew is so designated because as it tells us in the Gospel of John (John 1:35–42) Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist, whose testimony first led him to follow Jesus. Andrew at once recognized Jesus as the Messiah and hastened to introduce him to his brother, Simon Peter. Jesus called; Andrew answered: Apostle, missionary, martyr.

St. Andrew was present at every important event during the earthly ministry of Jesus and after Jesus’ Resurrection was commissioned to go to the ends of the earth proclaiming the Gospel. Tradition holds that he preached along the shore of the Black Sea, the steppe of western Central Asia and up-river as far as Kiev – and as such he is the patron saint of Ukraine, Romania and Russia. Andrew also preached in Thrace (an ancient area now part of modern Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey).

As mentioned in yesterday’s post, Giving Testimony, it has always been a fundamental task of one who would call upon the name of the Lord to be someone who speaks “salvation” into the world:: “It is too little, the LORD says, for you to be my servant…. I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)  As great a servant as was Andrew bringing others to Jesus in the lifetime of Jesus, that wasn’t enough.  Andrew’s missionary endeavors took salvation to the ends of the known world. He gave testimony.

How far have you gone on the evangelizing mission in whatever shape it has taken? Been to the end of the block? It is the premier task of our Christ life. Let us hear again the prophet Isaiah chapter 28 from the first reading (Roman 10:11-13):

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!

Each of us, like Andrew, has been commissioned to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Some, like Andrew, will be preachers and missionaries.  Most of us are commissioned for our families, our homes, our circle of friends, the block we live on, the faith community we attend. For this we have all been commissioned by our Baptism.

Image credit: The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew, Duccio di Buoninsegna, National Gallery of Art Washington DC PD-US