This week in our Saintly Summer series, we reflect on the witness of St. Andrew the Apostle—the first disciple called by Jesus. Before following Christ, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist and worked as a fisherman alongside his brother, Peter. When Jesus called them to leave their nets and become “fishers of men,” Andrew responded without hesitation. He remained faithful throughout Christ’s earthly ministry and, after the Resurrection and Ascension, devoted his life to proclaiming the Gospel to the nations.

St. Andrew’s example reminds us that following Jesus begins with a willing and open heart. While God may call us to significant changes in our lives, He first invites us to know Him through the ordinary moments of faith—prayer, the sacraments, and daily trust in His will.

Saintly Summer – Full Text

Next up on Saintly Summer, is St. Andrew, the Apostle. We learn in the gospels that St. Andrew, the Apostle was first a disciple of John the Baptist. But then, when Jesus came into the picture, he left everything and followed Jesus. We also know that Andrew was a fisherman and also the brother of Peter and that when Jesus called Andrew and Peter to follow Him, He asked them to leave their nets and to become fishers of men. Andrew continued to follow Jesus throughout His Earthly life and then after the crucifixion and Ascension to Heaven, he became one of the Evangelists, and spread the word of God throughout all nations. What we can learn from St. Andrew, today is a willingness and openness to follow God’s will for our lives no matter what. Sometimes, it’ll be big like Saint Andrew’s called to follow to leave everything and follow Jesus. Maybe God is asking us to follow Him in a different journey vocationally with a job or in relationships. But we also have to remember that Jesus first called Andrew to be with Him, which for us means following Jesus in the little ways – going to Mass, receiving the sacraments, beginning a prayer life. So like, St. Andrew, let’s start to follow Jesus in the small ways first so that one day we can follow him in big ways.