We Have Found the Messiah
From a homily on the Gospel of John by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop (344-407) Saint Andrew, the Apostle
Saint Andrew the Apostle – Painting by RIBERA – 1618
We Have Found the Messiah
Narrated by Frank Dugan, Huntington Beach, California
After Andrew had stayed with Jesus and had learned much from him, he did not keep this treasure to himself, but hastened to share it with his brother. Notice what Andrew said to him: We have found the Messiah, that is to say, the Christ. Notice how his words reveal what he has learned in so short a time. They show the power of the master who has convinced them of this truth. They reveal the zeal and concern of men preoccupied with this question from the very beginning. Andrew’s words reveal a soul waiting with the utmost longing for the coming of the Messiah, looking forward to his appearing from heaven, rejoicing when he does appear, and hastening to announce so great an event to others. To support one another in the things of the spirit is the true sign of good will between brothers, of loving kinship and sincere affection.
Notice, too, how, even from the beginning, Peter is docile and receptive in spirit. He hastens to Jesus, without delay. He brought him to Jesus, says the evangelist. But Peter must not be condemned for his readiness to accept Andrew’s word without much weighing of it. It is probable that his brother had given him, and many others, a careful account of the event; the evangelists, in the interest of brevity, regularly summarize a lengthy narrative. Saint John does not say that Peter believed immediately, but that he brought him to Jesus. Andrew was to hand him over to Jesus, to learn everything for himself. There was also another disciple present, and he hastened with them for the same purpose.
When John the Baptist said, This is the Lamb, and he baptizes in the Spirit, he left the deeper understanding of these things to be received from Christ. All the more so would Andrew act in the same way, since he did not think himself able to give a complete explanation, he brought his brother to the very source of light, and Peter was so joyful and eager that he would not delay even for a moment.
Source: The Liturgy of the Hours – Office of Readings
The Martyrdom of Saint Andrew – by MURILLO 1682
Saint Andrew was the son of John, a fisherman, and the brother of Simon Peter. He was a native of Bethsaida, Galilee, and also a fisherman. He became a disciple of John the Baptist, and after hearing Jesus speak, Andrew ran to Peter and said: “We have found the Messiah” and brought Peter to introduce him to Jesus (John I: 41). When Jesus returned to Galilee, he called Peter and Andrew from their fishing inviting them to be Apostles saying: “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At the miracle of the loaves, it was Andrew who pointed out to Christ the boy carrying the loaves and fishes, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fishes: but what are these among so many?” (John VI: 8-9) It was also Andrew who introduced the Gentiles to Jesus. Andrew was one of the twelve Apostles and was present at the last supper, and a witness to the crucifixion, the resurrection and the ascension of Jesus.
Andrew is said to have preached in Chythia and Greece. He was crucified at Patras, Acaia on an X-shaped cross.
St. Andrew’s remains were moved from Patrae to Constantinople, and deposited in the church of the Apostles there, about A.D. 357. When Constantinople was taken by the French, in the beginning of the thirteenth century, Cardinal Peter of Capua brought the saint’s relics to Italy and placed them in the cathedral of Amalfi, where most of them still remain. St. Andrew is honored as the chief patron of Russia and Scotland.
Tradition has it that some of his relics were brought to Scotland in the fourth century due to a dream of St. Rule, who was custodian of Andrew’s relics. An angel is said to have guided St. Rule to a place called St. Andrew’s and he became its first bishop and evangelized the Scots in the area for three decades.