One of my writing assignments at Divine Mercy University was this: What biblical character most helps you to see your life from God’s viewpoint? I chose Saint Andrew, for the reasons below. After reading my response, who would you choose?
Andrew the Apostle (whose Feast Day is this Friday) has given me a new insight into my life with the Lord. He only appears two times in the gospels. His lack of prominence reminds me that we both prefer to work behind the scenes. It a preference that comes in handy at the Catholic Conference Center where most of my work takes place before the groups arrive.
In both appearances of Andrew, I see parallels in my life. In the first, Andrew showed Peter where the Lord may be found, boldly proclaiming “We have found the Messiah!” (Jn 1:41) As I live out my faith, my heart is often drawn toward helping those who live on the margins. I bring this experience back to the Church, the rock of Peter. The Church, however, sometimes appears to be out of touch with those who are on the ‘outside’. It’s almost as if I am saying, “I have found the Messiah! I have found him in the people who feel left out, especially those in nursing homes, soup kitchens, group homes, and prisons.”
Another reason I identify with Andrew is I sometimes see possibilities that others do not. Later in the gospel, Andrew appears again at the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Other disciples lamented, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread!” (Jn 6:7) Andrew, however, saw something the others did not. “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish…” (Jn 6:9) Such a ludicrous proposition invited ridicule. Not one to be dismissed, Andrew advanced the meager offering and by so doing initiated the miraculous feeding. As I envision out-of-the-box ideas, Andrew reminds me that I need to have the courage to point these out, even if they involve some personal risk or ridicule.
As a teenager, I chose Andrew as my confirmation saint name. He was the patron of fishermen, and I liked fishing. Looking back, I now realize I didn’t choose Andrew, but he chose me. And for reasons that have nothing to do with fishing.
That’s the biblical figure I chose. Who would be yours? And why?