November 30th

November 30, 2022: Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle
Readings: Rom 10:9-18/Mt 4:18-22 (684)
Vanessa Ramos: Senior/Student Council President
Brothers and sisters in Christ, today is the feast of St. Andrew, Apostle. In
the first reading, it is said that if we truly believe in our hearts that God raised
Jesus from the dead and preach that Jesus is Lord, we shall be saved. The scripture
even says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame. There is no
distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who
call upon him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” It is
questioned at the end of the reading of how one can believe in Jesus if they have
never heard of him or heard the good news about him. Our faith comes from what
is heard and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. Therefore, it is
important that we who have heard the teachings of Christ continue to spread it.
God is asking us to be his disciples, to not only live our life in faith but also share
the gospel.
St. Andrew one of the Apostles of Jesus, heard the word of God preached to
him and he followed Christ. Throughout his life, he preached the good news and
even died a martyr in Greece according to Christian tradition. Brothers and sisters,
as we reflect together on this Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle upon his life,
actions, and work of this holy man of God, let us all discern our own actions and
way of life, in how we live our lives as Christians in our world today. Let us reflect
on how we respond to the good news and all the positive instructions we receive at
Holy Cross. Have we placed the Lord our God as the center and focus of our lives,
or have we instead allowed ourselves to be swayed by the many temptations and
allures of this world that we end up being drawn further and further away from the
Lord and His salvation which St Paul talks about in his letter to the Romans? It is
important that we reflect upon these today as we continue to progress through the
season of Advent in preparation for the great celebrations at Christmas. That is
because we must not be ignorant of our calling and mission as Christians, as
students and staff of Holy Cross Catholic High School to be the beacons of God’s
light and hope in our world today.
Let us all therefore entrust ourselves to the Lord, following in the examples
of saints like St. Andrew the Apostle. Let us all allow the Lord to lead and guide us
in our lives so that we may truly walk faithfully down the path that He has
prepared for us. Let us all be active in the faithful living and carrying out of our
Christian duties and obligations, in being true and shining beacons of God’s light
and truth in our world today. May our lives, and especially this time of Advent, be
truly fruitful ones. Amen.