today's readings are Romans 10: 9-18; Psalm 19 ; Mt. 4: 18-22
What brought you to the faith? Was it always there, always strong? Or was it something that gradually developed over time? Most importantly, who or what brought you to our faith? A parent, a friend, a teacher at a school you attended, or maybe even an event?
For St. Andrew, it was Jesus who brought him to the faith. And we hear how Jesus did so in our gospel - the call to 2 fishermen, brothers, Andrew and Simon Peter.
The Holy Father, Pope Francis, made an interesting point about how people come to the faith. He said that it is rare for a person to be argued or persuaded into believing. Rather, many, many more are brought to believing by being invited to and attracted by believers. It is our example, our personally lived faith that can attract far more people than our arguments about why the faith is true, and why it needs to be accepted and lived.
As a Christian, every single one of us is called to be an attractive, inviting person for those we may encounter who have yet to "come on board". Each one of us has an unlimited potential to attract others, as shown by the growth of the early church. And how did the church grow? Of course through the Holy Spirit and the teaching and life of Jesus. but also in the way that St. Paul speaks about in our first reading today when he outlines the roles of each one of us to both speak and live the faith.
Yes, as Jesus says in Matthew 5, we are called to be light to our world. And like St. Andrew, we are called to follow Him as well as be a light for others to be drawn to Him.