Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 30th November

Message from Fr Paul for Tuesday, 30th November 2021

           Having just begun the Season of Advent, today we find ourselves celebrating St Andrew, traditionally known as the First-Called from among the Apostles. The source of this title lies not in the Gospel passage we read today from Matthew, (Mt 4:18-22), but from John 1: 35-42. Here Andrew, who has already met with Jesus and spoken with him, leads Simon to see Jesus and introduces them, for there are two quite distinct versions of the call of those disciples who would become apostles. Countless countries, towns and cities, parishes and individuals celebrate Andrew as their patron saint: to all of them every prayer and blessing, and especially for the people of Scotland.

           Here is the text of today’s Gospel:

 “As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew; they were making a cast in the lake with their net, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ And they left their nets at once and followed him. Going on from there he saw another pair of brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they were in their boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. At once, leaving the boat and their father, they followed him.”

What do we know of Andrew from this passage? Well, that he was Simon Peter’s brother and that they were fishermen, in fact, they were making a cast with their net in the lake when Jesus came across them. At his invitation to follow him and become fishers of men, they down tools there and then and follow him. Andrew and Peter were neighbours of James and John and their father Zebedee, if not friends. They leave their boat and their father in order to follow Jesus. Did Jesus know them already or were they complete strangers. Theories are many, but there is scant evidence here. More can be gleaned from John. There’s a lot we would like to know but don’t. Let us simply ask the Lord Jesus for that same spirit of obedience that those first disciples displayed in leaving all things to follow him.

           Many have written to ask how Toby is. Thank you so much. I can assure you that he is in good spirits and, for the time being, living in the monastery parlour, but we are busy preparing him a temporary home, as the vets say that the recovery period will take three to four months. His operation is due to take place a week today. I will keep you posted on his progress.